The governor of the Kaliningrad region, Anton Alikhanov, proposed a complete ban on the movement of goods between the Baltic republics and Russia, with the exception of transit.

“As a response, we propose a complete ban on the movement of goods (including those in transit from third countries) between the three Baltic countries and Russia (with an exception for the Kaliningrad region),” the governor wrote on Telegram.

Alikhanov noted that this decision will make it possible to load maritime carriers and give work to the Kaliningrad ports, which have been hit hard by restrictions from the EU.

“At the same time, it is necessary to set the level of the sea tariff for transportation at the level of the railway tariff according to the price list 10-01,” the governor noted.

He also commented on publications that Lithuania allegedly expanded the list of sanctions on transit through Kaliningrad.

The governor noted that this is not about new restrictions, but about the next stage of already introduced measures.

“I read that Lithuania has expanded the sanctions list for Kaliningrad transit.

This is not true.

The sanctions adopted by the EC have a gradual nature, they were adopted back in March, now it’s just another stage of their entry into force for various goods,” Alikhanov wrote, adding that restrictions on oil products will also come into force in December.

As the governor noted, the region insists on "non-proliferation of restrictions on Kaliningrad transit in principle."

“We rely on the efforts of our Foreign Ministry,” Alikhanov concluded.

Putin and Lukashenko discussed the situation 

As the Kremlin press service reported on July 11, Presidents of Russia and Belarus Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko discussed by phone the situation around restrictions on transit to the Kaliningrad region.

“Emphasis was placed on the situation in connection with the illegal restrictions imposed by Lithuania on the transit of goods to the Kaliningrad region.

In this context, some possible joint steps were discussed.

The mutual disposition to consistently strengthen Russian-Belarusian relations of partnership and alliance has been confirmed,” the Kremlin’s press service said.

Decision to stop transit

Recall that on June 17, Lithuanian Railways notified the Kaliningrad Railway of the termination of the transit of a number of sanctioned goods, which will take place on June 18.

Soon, the Ministry of Economic Development published a list of goods subject to the restriction.

The list includes, inter alia, process plants for the liquefaction of natural gas, iron and steel products, jet fuel, products for use in the aviation or space industry, as well as perfumes, dishes made of porcelain, stone, faience or ceramics, household appliances worth more than €750 and other sanctioned goods.

The Russian side has repeatedly commented on Lithuania's decision.

In particular, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said that Russia's response to the European Union on the problem of transit to the Kaliningrad region would be worthy.

“Interdepartmental work was carried out on response actions, and our Western so-called partners, in this case the European Commission, the European Union, must understand that the clock is ticking and patience is not limitless ... But we have said repeatedly and publicly, and to them, that the answer will be worthy,” - she said on the air of the program "Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov" on July 10.

At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Transport, Vitaly Savelyev, expressed confidence that the Kaliningrad region would not be in a transport blockade.

According to him, the department is closely monitoring the situation.

In an interview with RT, the first deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council, Vladimir Dzhabarov, expressed the opinion that the EU authorities have already made it clear to Lithuania that the decision on transit is a mistake.

Lithuania, in turn, continues to "twist its line", testing Russia's patience, Dzhabarov added.

“If this drags on, we will 

immediately apply them (retaliatory measures. -

RT ).

I think Lithuania is provoking the introduction of retaliatory measures... This is a dangerous game played by the Lithuanians,” the parliamentarian noted.