A sharp escalation in rhetoric has been recorded in recent hours in a rolling conflict between Russia and Lithuania over the passage of goods through the Baltic state to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Russia has accused Lithuania of an “unprecedented” move in preventing the passage of certain goods on the EU sanctions list on trains passing from Russia to Kaliningrad. Lithuania and the European Union have said that this is part of the enforcement of sanctions. Russia has blamed Lithuania and Western countries for a “siege” on Kaliningrad, which lies on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
This is a supply of current goods flowing from Russia to the enclave area via freight trains. Because it includes steel and iron products – banned from importing into the EU starting this week under sanctions imposed against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine – Lithuanian authorities have made it clear that they will not allow the passage of certain goods. The Lithuanian foreign minister estimated that the sanctions were valid for about half of the Russian shipments. Russia said in response that the Lithuanian move was “unprecedented” and the Russian Foreign Ministry made it clear that the country “reserves the right to respond in order to protect national interests”.
Lithuania is considered a “right-wing marker” in the European Union over the struggle for Putin’s rule. The country is a member of NATO, and the fear is that a confrontation with it will involve a full-scale war between Russia and the West. The EU ambassador was summoned today for a reprimand call at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“There is no change in Lithuanian policy”
So far, the union has expressed support for Lithuania’s steps, saying the country “enforces the international sanctions” imposed on Russia. EU foreign policy chief Joseph Burrell denied there was a change in policy on the part of Lithuania, saying: “There is no siege (on Kaliningrad). The land crossing between it and other parts of Russia is not banned. The passage of people and goods not included in the sanctions list continues. “In addition, Lithuania has not taken any unilateral steps. I am always worried about a Russian response.” Burrell promised to “re-examine all legal aspects” of the moves of Lithuania and of the European Union.
On the Russian side, the threats have only intensified in recent hours. “If the cargo passage between Kaliningrad and the rest of Russia through Lithuania is not fully returned in the near future, then Russia reserves the right to take steps to safeguard its national interests,” an official statement said. The secretary of the National Security Council said this afternoon that “Russia reserves the right to respond to hostile actions. The consequences will have a negative and serious impact on the population of Lithuania.”
The other products included in the Union’s sanctions list include coal, construction equipment and advanced technical equipment. The governor of Kaliningrad tried to reassure the population, amid images of increased shopping in supermarkets in the enclave, and said that it would be possible to compensate for what would not come by trains using cargo ships. About half a million people live in Kaliningrad.