The Kaliningrad region authorities were informed that, effective June 18, a broad list of goods arriving from Lithuanian territory to the region will no longer be moved through. LTG Cargo noted that the European Commission’s guidance on the impact of the EU sanctions issued on July 31, 2014 clarifies the effect of the bans. Previously, transit to Kaliningrad appeared on a sanctioned exemptions list within one package of measures.
Officials reported that the EC has explained that those exclusions do not apply to goods whose import into the EU is prohibited. The governor of Kaliningrad, Anton Alikhanov, said he had not yet seen the EC statements regarding the sanctions cited by Lithuanian authorities. Preliminary estimates suggested that up to half of the cargo would fall under the EU rail transport ban. The governor described a substantial portion of goods moved between Kaliningrad and other parts of Russia as materials used in construction and production, including cement, metals, and other essential items now subject to the restriction, with finished products from the region also affected.
Alikhanov accused Lithuania of violating EU accession rules by banning transit to Kaliningrad. He also noted that the ban would require rapid redeployment of capacity on the Ust-Luga to Baltiysk ferry route. Regional authorities are engaging with federal agencies to resolve the situation and seek clarification from the European Commission. The impact on logistics costs is expected to rise, and the region may need to apply for transport subsidies from the federal center if required.
There was concern that the situation posed a serious humanitarian challenge and could suppress the regional economy. The governor pledged that authorities would do everything possible to keep disruption from worsening. Rail freight and passenger crossings continued to operate as usual, while aviation over the Baltic states operated in neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea.
Sanctions should not affect transport
In April, the European Union adopted the fifth sanctions package against Russia, targeting transport by Russian and Belarusian carriers with certain exceptions for food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid. The package included bans on the import of wood, cement, coal, and other goods from Russia. Kaliningrad’s leadership stated that these measures would not affect transit to the Kaliningrad region via the main body of Russian territory. They cited provisions that exclude certain passages from the scope of restriction when moving between Kaliningrad and other parts of Russia, framing these routes as a form of international transit rather than a ban on domestic movement.
Officials explained that, under the EU’s published rules, restrictions did not apply to shipments moving from other Russian regions to Kaliningrad. The logic presented was that the crossing from Russia to Kaliningrad is treated as an international transit, with rail and road transport considered exempt in these cases. The Kaliningrad enclave lacks a land border with mainland Russia, and land movement to the exclave typically traverses Lithuanian territory.
Two years to comply with sanctions
Regional leaders previously suggested that adapting the Kaliningrad economy to Western sanctions could take one to two years. Optimism exists that the transition will proceed without major obstacles, though some restrictions are likely. The region has alternative routes for air travel across neutral Baltic waters, as well as ferries ensuring the delivery of necessary goods and supplies. In public remarks, the regional leadership expressed hope that Lithuania would honor its obligations to maintain routes to the region through its territory, aligning with the responsibilities of the Baltic state upon joining the European Union.
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