Too harsh: Alikhanov proposes to completely stop the import and export of goods in the Baltic

The governor of the Kaliningrad region, Anton Alikhanov, has proposed drastic retaliatory measures against Lithuania’s ban on the transport of goods from the Russian mainland, which is subject to EU sanctions. The official stated this on the broadcast of the Russian 24 TV channel.

“[Есть] some of our recommendations. The option I have voiced one of the last is an extreme answer – a complete ban on the import and export of any goods through the Baltic states, ”the statement said.

According to him, if the EU maintains the blockade of Kaliningrad, Russia has an “overreaction” of an economic nature.

“We basically prohibit the movement of goods to the Baltic states through the territory of the Russian Federation, with the exception of Kaliningrad.” – Alikhanov explained the mechanism of the alleged response to the Lithuanian sanctions.

The head of the Kaliningrad region expects the transit issue to be resolved on July 10.

“This is the next release date for the sanctions packages, so I think they are simply driven by this in the EU’s internal work to have time for us to accept an exception before the terminology is officially announced. ” Anton Alikhanov explained.

He also noted that if the blockade of Kaliningrad is extended beyond 10 July, Moscow will take drastic retaliatory measures.

The governor described the actions of the European Union as “enemy”.

“You Europeans are putting us in conditions that limit our human opportunities, including our normal existence. You are making the situation worse for us in terms of inflation pressure. Why are you doing this? “You are being hostile by worsening the lives of more than a million people,” said Alikhanov.

“Let’s see who is stronger. Something tells me we will be stronger. But I really don’t want to get into this competition,” he added, expressing hope that EU politicians will have common sense.

Finally, Alikhanov stated that the Kaliningrad pass cannot be used to circumvent sanctions.

Europeans can have no worries about the Kaliningrad crossing. It cannot be used to circumvent sanctions. Other statements are heresy,” he said.

According to Alikhanov, there are generally accepted world standards for protecting cargo from being opened. “All this transit paperwork, generally accepted stuff, actually happened until recently. It didn’t bother anyone, we were driving as usual.”

Kremlin position

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin is considering different scenarios for the development of events, but hopes that “common sense will prevail” in Vilnius.

According to him, the Kremlin hopes to find a solution to this situation and hopes for a better outcome.

“But of course, we’re evaluating various scenarios in the worst case scenario. We don’t want to say more yet,” said Peskov.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that Vilnius only complies with the requirements of the EU sanctions policy and the rules set by the European Commission.

On 18 June, Lithuanian Railways stopped the transit of many goods covered by EU sanctions to Kaliningrad. Governor Anton Alikhanov emphasized that the ferry complex of the Kaliningrad region will cope with new cargoes against the backdrop of the Vilnius decision. In addition, the transportation of petroleum products to Kaliningrad via Lithuania continues, their passage is not limited until August 10.

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View of Kaliningrad and Novaya Pregolya River

Igor Zarembo/RIA Novosti

Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Lithuania, which took such a decision, acted aggressively and went beyond hostile lines.
He added that Vilnius must understand that Moscow considers such actions hostile, and therefore Russia reserves the right to protect its national interests if restrictions are not lifted.