Due to the EU sanctions in force against Russia, Lithuania has been restricting the transport of goods to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad since the end of June. This is causing huge problems in Moscow – they are currently trying to talk through various channels to resume goods traffic, but are already preparing for the “worst”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained on Thursday.
“Of course we hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” Peskov said, according to the Interfax agency. Since goods that have to be transported overland also have to cross EU territory, Lithuania will no longer allow sanctioned goods to pass through. It concerns luxury goods and steel products, which make up a large part of the blocked goods. Other goods and passengers could continue to cross the country.
Russia threatens with harsh response
Russia sees supplies to the region surrounded by EU countries at risk. The head of the Russian Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, accused Lithuania of “madness”. If no solution to the problem is found, Russia will react harshly. She criticized the West’s punitive measures against Russia for invading Ukraine in general as illegal.
Does Russia want to conquer “Corridor”?
“But the imposition of sanctions on the transit from one part of Russia to another part of Russia – this is total madness not allowed in international relations,” she said. Lithuania and the EU have been warned. Matviyenko did not comment on what countermeasures Russia plans to take if the transit is not reopened.
Russian talk shows demanded the capture of a “corridor” to Kaliningrad. This fueled fears of Russian aggression in the region.
NATO’s eastern flank is being reinforced
Meanwhile, the presidents of Poland and Lithuania emphasized their country’s readiness to defend itself in the border area with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Many people today wonder whether the region NATO has dubbed the “Suwalki Gorge” is safe, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Thursday after visiting the Multinational Northeast Division in Szypliszki, Poland.
“It’s safe, and that’s because of what you can see here today: the daily, silent but absolutely vigilant duty of Polish, Lithuanian and NATO soldiers.” With the planned reinforcement of NATO’s eastern flank, the number of soldiers stationed in the region has increased from the current 40,000 to 300,000.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
