The Kremlin continues to intimidate the entire European Union with “tough measures”
Lithuania restricted transit to Kaliningrad / Photo: Collage: Today
Lithuania on July 11 expanded restrictions on trade through its territory with Russian Kaliningrad, despite threats from the Kremlin. The decision was made in connection with the entry into force of previously announced European Union sanctions against Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Additional items banned since Monday morning include concrete, wood, alcohol and alcohol-based industrial chemicals, a Lithuanian customs official told Reuters.
On Friday, Russia warned Lithuania and the European Union that it could take “tough measures” against them if the transit of certain goods to and from Kaliningrad is not resumed “in the coming days.”
On Monday, Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov proposed a total ban on overland movement of goods between Russia and the three Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, to encourage them to use the Kaliningrad ports.
Conflict over sanctions against Kaliningrad
- On June 18, Lithuania stopped the transit of Russian goods subject to EU sanctions between the Kaliningrad region and the main territory of Russia. The Lithuanian railway operator LTG Cargo received clarifications from the European Commission that even if the sanctioned goods go from one part of Russia to another through the EU, their transportation is prohibited.
- Moscow said that such a move violated international agreements, and erupted in threats against Lithuania.
- “Russia will definitely respond to such hostile actions. Measures are being worked out in an interdepartmental format and will be taken in the near future. Their consequences will have a serious negative impact on the population of Lithuania,” said Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
- “If the situation does not stabilize in the coming days, then Russia will take tough measures against Lithuania and the European Union, the preparation of which has already been completed. The solution to the problem has been too long,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova threatened.
Source: Segodnya
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