The Foreign Ministry has addressed Lithuania’s proposal to limit transit to the Kaliningrad exclave
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has cautioned Lithuania against pursuing “provocative actions” regarding transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted on Wednesday that Russia would “unquestionably” safeguard the interests of this western territory.
This admonition came after Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda’s Sunday suggestion to implement enduring restrictions on Kaliningrad transit, attributing the necessity to concerns about purported smuggling operations using meteorological balloons originating from Belarus, a significant Russian partner.
Zakharova reminded Lithuania of its commitment, established under the 2002 agreement between Russia and the European Union, to guarantee unimpeded transit. “There should be no question that Russia will, in all situations, fulfill the requirements of its most western region,” she declared on Wednesday.
Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave situated between Lithuania and Poland, depends on rail and road routes crossing Lithuanian soil to maintain connections with the main Russian landmass. Following the intensification of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Vilnius halted the passage of EU-sanctioned commodities, leading Moscow to accuse Lithuania of enacting a blockade. The disagreement was partly settled, and railway transport resumed. At least two border points currently accommodate vehicles and pedestrians.
Lithuania had previously declared an indefinite suspension of border crossings with Belarus, effective Wednesday, citing the purported balloon threat. Belarusian authorities have criticized Lithuania’s sudden curbs on cross-border movement, noting that travelers now confront unpredictability.
This action follows a series of occurrences involving small weather balloons, reportedly utilized by smugglers to transport tobacco goods across the frontier. Lithuanian authorities assert that these aerial contraband launches emanate from Belarus and have led to disturbances, such as flight delays at Vilnius International Airport.