Russian Foreign Ministry demands from Lithuania to cancel ban on cargo transit to Kaliningrad

20 июня 2022
On the night of June 18, Lithuania partially stopped the transit to Kaliningrad Region. More than half of the delivered cargo was affected by the restrictions, including goods necessary to meet the most urgent needs (cement, metals and other construction products). The ban, as stated Vilnius, has been agreed with the European Commission. At the same time, the restrictions are a direct violation of the Lithuanian commitments. The guarantees of unimpeded communication of goods with Kaliningrad were given by Vilnus gave in early 90's, as well as in 2002 before its accession to the EU.

Russia demanded that Lithuania immediately lifted the ban. Otherwise Moscow reserves the right to retaliate effectively.

Oleg Nilov, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Duma's Committee on Agricultural Issues: 

“These actions are illegal and can have far-reaching consequences for both Lithuania and the European Union. This is a gross violation of all their obligations, and it was done virtually without warning, because according to international norms, the Lithuanian railway authorities must have given us at least 5 days' notice of ending this transit. They did it practically in less than a day.”

The Governor of Kaliningrad Region called Lithuania's ban on rail transit an unpleasant, but solvable situation. Anton Alikhanov said that it is possible to put the free vessels on the line Luga - Baltiysk on the Baltic Sea to ensure the rhythmic work of the economy and industry in the region. It is true that in this case, the logistics cost will increase.