Member of the European Parliament from Lithuania: Russia wins in absentia in the discussion of the European Commission on transit to Kaliningrad
Member of the European Parliament from Lithuania Petras Auštrevičius believes that Russia seems to be winning so far in the ongoing discussion in the European Commission regarding the lifting of the blockade on the transit of goods from Russia to Kaliningrad through the territory of the Baltic state. Auštrevičius expressed this opinion in social networks.
After the introduction by Vilnius of restrictions on rail transit between Russia and the Kaliningrad region through the territory of Lithuania, relations between Moscow and the Baltic state escalated to the limit. The Lithuanian authorities tried to explain the next anti-Russian demarche by a direct order from Brussels. However, European officials immediately denied this, saying that the decision to blockade, although it complies with EU sanctions, was taken by Vilnius independently. Moscow, in turn, in an ultimatum form, demanded the removal of restrictions, calling them illegal and threatened otherwise with harsh retaliatory measures.
The Lithuanian politician said that the topic of transit was repeatedly discussed in the EU this week. Lithuania, which spoke in favor of maintaining restrictions on sanctioned goods, was supported by all EU countries, except for one. Who stood in opposition, the MEP did not specify.
In continuation of the discussion, the discord on this issue between the representatives of the EU states only intensified. As a result, according to Auštrevičius, a document appeared allowing the transportation of sanctioned goods through the EU from “Russia to Russia” — that is, to the Kaliningrad region from other regions of the Russian Federation. And although Lithuania is not mentioned in the document, the draft agreement has been sent to Vilnius for approval. It is understood that since the issue concerns Lithuania, which initiated this problem, it is up to her to make the final decision.
The European Commission document is expected to be published next week.
The MP does not write what position the Lithuanian leadership takes on this issue after the discussion of the problem in the EC. The situation for Vilnius is very difficult. On the one hand, the Balts do not want to give up tough anti-Russian rhetoric regarding sanctions pressure. On the other hand, by refusing to sign the document, they essentially find themselves face to face in a conflict with Moscow, without the support of Brussels.
In turn, it can be assumed that the Europeans are using this precedent to test out some compromise ways out of the protracted confrontation with Russia. It is obvious to everyone that the sanctions have not been successful and, worse, have put the economies of the EU countries on the brink of collapse - in fact, becoming sanctions against themselves. It can be assumed that, having run in Lithuania the scheme when “both the wolves are fed and the sheep are safe,” the EU will begin to develop other workarounds in which the unity of the West will be observed in “punishing” Russia with the creation of certain schemes for the exit of the eurozone countries from under sanctions.
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