Minsk, Moscow threaten – Kaliningrad: Lithuania tightens goods controls

Such was the case in a telephone conversation between Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin and Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko, as Moscow reported. Russia had warned Lithuania and the EU on Friday that it could take “tough measures” if transit of some goods between Russia and Kaliningrad were not resumed “in the coming days”.

Now, however, the banned goods have gotten longer. Concrete, wood, alcohol and alcohol-based industrial chemicals are now also affected, a spokesman for Lithuanian customs said. The Kremlin considers these “illegal restrictions”.

The European Commission has been trying to find a compromise since the end of June to resolve the stalemate. 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 Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday referred to statements by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who had both emphasized that transit connections are not subject to EU sanctions. We hope for an agreement. EU diplomats called it a pity that Lithuania’s position had hardened.

Kaliningrad is located on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Poland and has no direct land connection with Russia. EU and NATO member Lithuania has been restricting freight traffic between Russia and the exclave since mid-June. Goods subject to EU sanctions against Russia can no longer be transported by rail from Russia to Kaliningrad via Lithuania. These mainly include metals, building materials, technological goods and coal. Passenger transport is not prohibited and Kaliningrad can be reached further by air or sea.