Russia summons EU envoy over Kaliningrad transit row

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned Markus Ederer, the European Union’s ambassador to Moscow, over Lithuania’s decision to ban transit of goods under EU sanctions to Kaliningrad.

Vilnius has barred the transit of goods subject to EU sanctions through Lithuanian territory to and from the Russian semi-exclave of Kaliningrad.

Moscow conveyed its “decisive protest” to Ederer over the “unilateral anti-Russian restrictions on cargo transit between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of the Russian Federation,” read a Foreign Ministry statement.

“Such actions are unacceptable, violating the relevant legal and political obligations of the European Union and leading to an escalation of tension,” the statement said.

The ministry demanded the immediate restoration of normal transit operations, warning of retaliatory measures if the curbs are not lifted, according to the statement.

Speaking to reporters while leaving the ministry, Ederer defended Lithuania’s actions, saying the Baltic country was implementing an EU decision and not taking any unliteral measures.

Located on the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, and separated overland from the main part of Russia by Lithuania, Latvia and Belarus. Most railway transit between Russia and Kaliningrad is through Belarus and Lithuania.