War News 24/7,

26 June, 2022

Tensions are rising in the Baltic following Lithuania’s announcement to veto a European Commission decision to lift the blockade of Kaliningrad through the creation of a “special corridor”.

The situation on the Russian-Belarusian border is now very tense. Already due to the blockade of Lithuania, a large number of Russian and not only trucks have gathered at the border. According to statistics provided by the Belarusian Border Committee, more than 2,000 trucks are waiting to leave for Lithuania with a final destination in Kaliningrad.

In addition, there are reports that Lithuania intends to cut off gas supplies to the Russian enclave, putting even more pressure on Moscow.

This could happen through the blockade of the Minsk-Vilnius-Kaunas-Kaliningrad pipeline, which passes through Lithuania. The “stop” will be justified on the occasion of EU sanctions.

Russian military sources commented: “Everything is moving in Russia’s favor. Lithuania revolts against EU So it will not back down easily. “

In this context, the phrase of the representative of the Russian Foreign Minister, M. Zakharova, who spoke about a ” practical response and not only a diplomatic one” in Lithuania, is also problematic.

Lithuania’s veto on lifting the blockade of Kaliningrad

Lithuanian MEP Petras Austrevicius has said that Lithuania intends to veto a European Commission decision ending the suspension of land trade from his country to Kaliningrad.

At the same time, the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda announced that he has decided not to make concessions to Russia on the issue of transit in the Kaliningrad region, emphasizing that Lithuania will act in accordance with its interests and the interests of the EU.

“Lithuania must maintain and will continue to maintain control of goods transported through its territory and no ‘corridor’ can be raised,” said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has stressed that his Baltic country “should” and “will” impose EU sanctions on Russian products amid harsh rhetoric from Moscow over Vilnius’ recent restrictions affecting the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.

“It is absolutely clear that Lithuania must implement and will implement EU sanctions, ” Nauseda said on Facebook.

“Lithuania must and will maintain control over the goods being transported through its territory, and there can be no question of ‘corridors’ or thoughts of downgrading Russia in response to the Kremlin’ s threats .

“The government must urgently consult with the European Commission so that the implementation of sanctions does not harm Lithuania’s interests or international agreements, ” Naouseda said. “Only by acting together will we achieve that sanctions are painful for the attacking country.”

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said it was “ironic to hear rhetoric about alleged violations of international treaties” from Russia, which she accused of violating “probably any international treaty”.

Russia’s foreign ministry said on June 21 that EU Ambassador to Moscow Markus Enterer had been informed of the “unacceptability of such actions” and warned that “retaliation would follow” if the restrictions were not lifted immediately.

Russian analyst: Lithuania seeks military conflict between Russia and NATO

“The statement of the Lithuanian authorities about the ban on the passage of Russian cargo through the territory of their country to Kaliningrad could lead to an immediate military conflict between the Russian Federation and NATO,” said Marat Bashirov.

The European Commission is preparing a document allowing Russia to transport goods subject to sanctions to the Kaliningrad region via European Union territory. However, Lithuania announced its intention to veto the decision.

“No, it is not their decision, they told them and they say it. Now that the precautionary game has begun, timing has become a key factor in the survival of the West and our elites. We are in front of the Donbass and they have to catch up.

Now they have decided to surprise us with the Kaliningrad affair – they are setting up a blockade and provoking military action. And then there is China, which is looking at Taiwan from the front eye.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. “But I really hope that Plan B is already on the table .

Peshkov: Retaliation against Lithuania under discussion 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia is still discussing measures – retaliation against Lithuania for blocking the transfer of goods and goods to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad – who said Russia was considering a series of measures. .

“The measures are being prepared. After carefully weighing everything, we will talk. We do not focus on specific measures nor is there a deadline. Our key question is to respond to these constraints. “When we are ready, we will announce it,” Peskov said, adding that Russia was asked to respond to Lithuania’s unfriendly actions.

He said the blockade of Kaliningrad contradicts the agreements that have been signed and the sanctions cannot be applied.

“The application of these sanctions to and from it contradicts the texts of the agreements,” Peshkov said.

Russian Foreign Minister: Practical and not only diplomatic response

“Russia’s response in Lithuania to the blockade on the passage of goods and goods to Kaliningrad will not only be diplomatic but also practical,” said Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“One of the key questions was whether the answer would be purely diplomatic. The answer is no. The answer will not be diplomatic, but practical, “ said Zakharova, who did not provide details on what exactly she meant by ” practical answer “.

It is noted that Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, participated in a meeting in Kaliningrad on Tuesday 21/6, claiming that Russia will respond to the “hostile action” of Lithuania.

“The consequences of these actions will have a serious negative impact on the Lithuanian population,” Petrushev said.