With reference to EU sanctions, Lithuania is currently blocking parts of the freight traffic between Russia and the Kaliningrad exclave. The EU fears an escalation of the conflict and is lobbying Vilnius to find a compromise. According to insiders, a return to free transit is imminent.
According to insiders, the dispute between Russia and Lithuania over the transit ban on certain goods to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad could end in a few days. European Union officials, with the support of Germany, are currently negotiating with Lithuania to suspend the transit ban, two people familiar with the process said.
Despite the Lithuanian government's reservations, insiders expressed confidence that a compromise will be reached by July 10 at the latest. "We are in close coordination with the European Commission, which is expected to announce the guidelines for the treatment of these goods in transit in a few days," confirmed Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. He did not want to speculate about the possible result.
The former Soviet republic is one of the harshest critics of Russia in the EU. "Sanctions must be enforced. No decision should undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the EU sanctions policy," said a spokeswoman for the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry. However, according to one insider, supporters of a compromise fear a military escalation on EU soil. The government in Moscow could use force to create a land corridor. Kaliningrad is "sacred" for Russia.
German soldiers are also stationed in the NATO partner country Lithuania. A reduction in gas imports from Russia could also hit Germany hard. "We have to accept the reality," said one of the insiders. Russian President Vladimir Putin has "much more leverage than we do. It is in our interest to find a compromise." Two main scenarios are possible: either the cargo traffic between Russia and Kaliningrad will be exempted from the EU sanctions, or humanitarian reasons could create an exception for the area that lies between Lithuania, Poland and the Baltic Sea.
Since June 17, Lithuania has banned the transit of goods such as building materials, metals and coal to the exclave, citing EU sanctions because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The only train route between Russia and Kaliningrad is also affected by the ban. There is no direct land connection between the former East Prussian Königsberg and Russia. Air and sea routes are not affected by the sanctions.
