Russia tells Lithuania: your citizens will feel the pain over Kaliningrad
Summary
LONDON, June 21 (Reuters) - A top ally of President Vladimir Putin told Lithuania on Tuesday that Moscow would respond to its ban on the transit of goods sanctioned by the EU to Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad in such a way that citizens of the Baltic state would feel the pain.
With relations between Moscow and the West at a half-century low over Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania banned the transit of goods sanctioned by the European Union across its territory to and from the exclave, citing EU sanction rules.
Nikolai Patrushev, a former KGB spy who is now the secretary of Russia's Security Council, said Lithuania's "hostile" actions showed that Russia could not trust the West, which he said had broken written agreements over Kaliningrad.
"Russia will certainly respond to such hostile actions," Patrushev was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA.
"Appropriate measures are being worked out in an interdepartmental format and will be taken in the near future," he was quoted as saying. "Their consequences will have a serious negative impact on the population of Lithuania."
Lithuania, a member of NATO and the European Union, said it was simply applying agreed EU sanctions on Russia, adding it was "ironic" to hear Moscow's complaints given its war in Ukraine.
- Russia warns Lithuania over Kaliningrad
- Russia summons EU ambassador
- EU tells Russia: refrain from 'escalatory steps'
- Lithuania: ironic to hear Russia moaning about law
LONDON, June 21 (Reuters) - A top ally of President Vladimir Putin told Lithuania on Tuesday that Moscow would respond to its ban on the transit of goods sanctioned by the EU to Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad in such a way that citizens of the Baltic state would feel the pain.
With relations between Moscow and the West at a half-century low over Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania banned the transit of goods sanctioned by the European Union across its territory to and from the exclave, citing EU sanction rules.
Nikolai Patrushev, a former KGB spy who is now the secretary of Russia's Security Council, said Lithuania's "hostile" actions showed that Russia could not trust the West, which he said had broken written agreements over Kaliningrad.
"Russia will certainly respond to such hostile actions," Patrushev was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA.
"Appropriate measures are being worked out in an interdepartmental format and will be taken in the near future," he was quoted as saying. "Their consequences will have a serious negative impact on the population of Lithuania."
Lithuania, a member of NATO and the European Union, said it was simply applying agreed EU sanctions on Russia, adding it was "ironic" to hear Moscow's complaints given its war in Ukraine.
'NO BLOCKADE'
"It's ironic to hear rhetoric about alleged violations of international treaties from a country which has violated possibly every single international treaty," Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte told reporters.
"There is no Kaliningrad blockade," Simonyte said. "Lithuania is implementing EU sanctions."
Kaliningrad, formerly the port of Koenigsberg, capital of East Prussia, was captured from Nazi Germany by the Red Army in April 1945 and ceded to the Soviet Union after World War Two. It is sandwiched between NATO members Poland and Lithuania.
After Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, the United States and its allies imposed some of the most stringent sanctions in modern history, a step the Kremlin cast as akin to a declaration of economic war.
Russia's foreign ministry summoned the EU's ambassador to Moscow, Markus Ederer, to formally complain. read more
"We demanded the immediate restoration of normal Kaliningrad transit. Otherwise retaliatory measures will follow," it said.
Ederer urged Russia to refrain from "escalatory steps and rhetoric" over the situation, an EU spokesperson said.
"He conveyed our position on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and explained that Lithuania is implementing EU sanctions and there is no blockade, and asked them to refrain from escalatory steps and rhetoric," the spokesperson, Peter Stano, said in Brussels.
Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Kyiv and its Western backers say this is a false pretext to wage an unprovoked war of aggression.
Gila Babi Ruzia us threatening everybody here, there, everywhere.
ReplyDeleteLithuania is a Sovereign nation.
It has the right to impose restrictions on what Ruzian goods may be transported to Kalinigrad by land through its sovereign soil.
This is TOTALLY different from the case of Ruzia blockading International waters around Ukraine.
Yes, Lithuania has that sovereign right to impose restrictions on what Russian goods may be transported to Kalinigrad by land through its sovereign soil.
DeleteBut, haven't u realised that Lithuania had signed off that sovereign right when she agreed to that intrastate transportation agreement signed between Russia & Lithuania years ago?
Besides, there r also international binding guidelines on this kind of trans-border movements. Any restriction COULDN'T be unilateral.
Russia's dire warning to Lithuania is totally justified!
Ruzia wants to rant about international agreements and international law in the middle of its barbaric invasion of Ukraine ?
DeleteWhat a load of hogwash.
.
Lithuania is merely echoing what Ruzia has said in other areas...Our Territory, Our Rules....
Wakakakaka…
DeleteKnow-nothing fart of inconsequential!
The difference of the application of international laws in Ukraine & Lithuania is in the form of international (yes, how ironic) recognition.
Russia operates his special military operation in Ukraine bcoz the nationalist Ukrainian govt ignores the signed Minsk Accords, which r internationally recognized!
Lithuania would face the same special military operation from Russia bcoz she ignores the signed & agreed treaty of interstate rail transit of goods from Russia to Kaliningrad!
Indeed, Russia can initiate the theme - Our Territory, Our Rules - upon Lithuania.
Bearing in mind that there is doubt now about the legality of the recognition of Lithuania's independence from Russia!
In short, Lithuania is just liken to Taiwan to mainland China. A renegade Russian state, as her independence wasn't officially approved by the Russian Federation!
Any conflicts arise between Russia & Lithuania r internal state affair. EU & NATO have no role in voicing any farts!
Ruzia is.welcome to attempt another Special Military Operation in Lithuania.
DeleteThe Super Super Super Mighty Mighty Ruzian Army that is struggling mightily just to take Severodonetsk from the Ukrainian Army (??!!!!) would get massacred if they took on NATO , the Yankee 101st Airborne, 1st Armoured Division etc. Al.
I suppose that's where the real danger to the world lies, because a totally humiliated Ruzian Puting would have no choice but to resort to Nukes.
Wakakakaka…
DeleteCount on yr NATO to act when Lithuania is been subjected to Russia special military operation!
Dream kaw-kaw for yr cozy night cap.
BTW, the military actions befell upon Lithuania wouldn't be the same as those onto the Slavic Ukrainia!
The Russian bear has a long memory about that dreamy revival of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Besides, the Russko bear has the harden resolve to use tactical nuclear weapons if Yankee & NATO step forward in interfere of his INTERNAL affair, using the NATO 5th clause of attack one, attack all fart!
Ooop… don't forget to reasonize how yr oft-chanted mighty Yank's military power had lead to his complete military disasters in wars of Korea/Vietnam/Afghanistan.
Going against Russia militatry would be a nightmare that not only the Yank wouldn't anticipating, together with his NATO puppies.
Most likely u would hear constant & irritating markings & occasionally howlings.