As of: 07/11/2022 4:53 p.m
Lithuania has extended trade restrictions with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to wood, concrete and other products. This threatens to worsen the conflict that has occupied Russia, the EU and the Baltic states for weeks.
Lithuania has expanded trade restrictions with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The goods sanctioned since the morning now also include concrete, wood, alcohol and alcohol-based industrial chemicals, says a spokesman for Lithuanian customs. Follow the EU sanctions.
Exclave with no land connection to Russia
Kaliningrad lies on the Baltic Sea between NATO and EU members Lithuania and Poland and has no direct land connection to Russia. The region relies on road or rail transit for most goods through Lithuania and neighboring — Russia-allied — Belarus.
The area is of great strategic and military importance for Russia. The port city is home to the Russian Baltic Fleet. According to Russia, it has stationed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in the exclave.
Movement of goods restricted since mid-June
Since June 17, Lithuania’s customs have stopped the delivery of goods that are on the EU list of sanctions against Russia. This led to strong protests from Russia. Goods such as food are exempt from the sanctions. Passenger transit is not prohibited and Kaliningrad can be further reached by air or sea.
The Russian leadership had warned Lithuania and the EU on Friday that it could take “tough measures” if the transit of some goods between Russia and Kaliningrad did not resume “in the next few days”.
The EU Commission has been trying to find a compromise to resolve the situation since the end of June. However, the government of the former Soviet republic of Lithuania is concerned about doing what could be seen as a concession to the Kremlin, it said.
A spokesman for the Federal Foreign Office referred to statements by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, both of whom had emphasized that transit connections were not subject to EU sanctions. We hope for an agreement. EU diplomats described it as unfortunate that Lithuania’s position had hardened.
Putin consults with Lukashenko
The Kremlin announced that Russia and Belarus are discussing joint action against Lithuania. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ally, Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko, had previously spoken on the phone. Lithuania shares a 680-kilometer border with Belarus. Belarus served as a staging area for the Russian army in its attack on Ukraine.