Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed possible joint sanctions against Lithuania with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Monday in response to the blockade of goods to Kaliningrad.
In a statement released by the Kremlin, it is mentioned that Putin and Lukashenko spoke by phone about possible actions in the face of “illegal restrictions” imposed by Lithuania, reaffirming their mutual commitment to strengthening the alliance between the two countries.
Since June 17, the Lithuanian authorities have been partially blocking the shipment of goods to the Russian enclave, which relies on Lithuanian rail and road networks for much of its freight transport.
The measure is justified by the European Union’s fourth package of sanctions on Russia and is affecting the industrial sector, including the transport of coal, metals and construction materials. It has become a source of tension with the Kremlin, which accuses Lithuania of an illegal blockade.
Kaliningrad. Could the partial blockade of the enclave lead to a Russian invasion of Lithuania?
The talk between the two leaders comes after Lithuania on Monday extended restrictions on trade through its territory to the Russian enclave. The list now includes wood, concrete, alcohol and alcohol-based industrial chemicals, a spokesman for the Lithuanian customs services said.
According to Reuters, the governor of the Kaliningrad region, Anton Alikhanov, proposed a complete blockade of the movement of goods between the Baltic states (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia) and Russia. The measure, which he describes as “reciprocal”, would leave the enclave outside the ban.
Source: Observadora
