"Nice" for goods that are not allowed to enter Kaliningrad, Russia is nervous

Russia has summoned the EU ambassador in response to Lithuania's ban on some goods being transported by rail to Russian territory in Kaliningrad.

Lithuania says it is bound by EU sanctions imposed as part of a series of measures taken over Moscow's occupation of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has called the measures "unprecedented" and "illegal."

Russia's foreign ministry has threatened to "take action to protect its national interests."

Kaliningrad, which has no land border with Russia, was annexed by Germany in 1945 and remains of strategic importance to Russia.

Last week, Lithuanian authorities announced they would ban the passage of goods subject to EU sanctions through their territory in Kaliningrad.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said: "Lithuania is not doing anything: it is the European sanctions that came into force on 17 June ... This was done in consultation with the European Commission and under the guidance of the European Commission."

The list of EU sanctions includes coal, metals, building materials and advanced technology - and the Governor of Russia's Kaliningrad Region, Anton Alikhanov.

The latter said the ban would cover about 50% of the items Kaliningrad imports. Lithuania is a member of the NATO military alliance, protected by collective defense treaties.

Russian officials are angry with Lithuania, and the EU for banning the transit of some goods to Kaliningrad. They are comparing it to a blockade.

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that "the situation is really very serious and requires a very in-depth analysis before any action or decision is prepared. This full analysis will be done in a matter of days. upcoming".

Today, one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies, Nikolai Patrushev, flew to the Kaliningrad region to discuss "national security in northwestern Russia." Mr. Patrushev is the secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council. Officials say the visit was planned long ago. What a coincidence.

When it comes to "national security", Kaliningrad is a key place. Russia's Baltic Fleet has its headquarters there. And Moscow has previously deployed nuclear-capable Iskander ballistic missiles in the Kaliningrad region.

Source: BBC