Reuters reported on Wednesday that European officials are in talks on a possible compromise on goods traveling to Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave sandwiched between Lithuania and Poland.
Lithuania has stopped allowing goods sanctioned by the EU to travel through its territory, and Russia has vowed it would respond if the move isn’t reversed. Two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that European officials are discussing exempting Kaliningrad from sanctions and that a deal could reached as soon as next week.
The compromise could be made on the grounds that goods being shipped to Kaliningrad do not count as normal international trade since the territory is part of Russia. But the report said the compromise would be made only on the condition that the sanctioned goods aren’t shipped out of Kaliningrad’s Baltic Sea port, which wouldn’t be possible for the EU to enforce.
One source told Reuters that Lithuania has “serious reservations” about making a concession to Moscow. Lithuanian officials have said publicly that they won’t reverse their decision and that they don’t expect a military response from Russia since Lithuania is a NATO member.
But the report said Lithuania fears Russia could respond to the Kaliningrad embargo by using its military to create a corridor through its territory. Other NATO nations have troops stationed in Lithuania, including the US and Germany. Berlin is trying to avoid an escalation over Kaliningrad and is backing the talks to reach a compromise, the report said.
Last week, Kaliningrad Governor Anton Alikhanov said he expects the EU will amend its sanctions for the territory. He noted that the EU has made previous commitments guaranteeing the transit of goods to Kaliningrad.
The potential “compromise” described looks a lot like ending Lithuania’s blockade, just as Russia has insisted. That would be a very wise “compromise.”
Yes, could be a good sign, … looks like second thoughts.
Don’t forget, they are unreasonable people looking for trouble.
Lithuania just as other Baltic states is experiencing 30% inflation. Baltic states were already for a long time experimental rats in mortgage loans. Upon foreclosure, bank can continue to recover the unpaid amount from tge debtor. This is the main reason for high emigration, as the way of escaping debt.
The poor economy is covered up by continuous fear rhetoric. Bad Russia will get them! Also, inviting militarization, bases, etc. is the only economic growth. By cutting themselves off from large Russian economy, Baltics have put themselves in a positiin they wanted — to be a ward of the West.,
These are all the consequences of Cold War strategy. All those countries that were Hitler’s allies, and were beaten by Soviet Union — had a large percent of population angry with Siviets for beating Nazi Germany. Thise resentments were tapped into by Western intelligence, helping them re-invent themselves as “anti-Communists” — romantic dissidents — to be financed, politically supported. Those ended up the leading elites in Eastern Europe. And most have their elites today made up of virulent Russophobes. And with Western, mostly US help, became the effective barrier between Europe and Russia. If you add here a segment if European elite, particularly British, that did not like strong Russia – and tge stage is set for European economic suicide. And let us not forget financialized Western cartels, and their rabbid Russophobia— the trajectory is clear.
Contrary to Western projections, Russia is imposing slow, grinding war of attrition — after Russia made utter fools of Western advisors to
Zelenski. Buy playacting Kuev shick and awe it never happened — Russia in the first week took tge MOST strategic areas — Khersin, attached to Crimea, and the entire Azov coast, connecting Russia to Crimea by land, and turning Azov sea into Russian lake.
The Mariupol drama — it was nothing more than turning the embarrasnent into “heroic”. As Mariupol was from day one within the Azov coastal belt, made zero difference when the surrounded military gave up.
The slow grind is a very interesting strategy. It forces NATO to come up with a plan that does not look like NATO war in Russia. As it actually is — slow losing of ground is an unpleasant reality.
But it can change on a dime as Russia changes focus. NATO should remove Zelenski as soon as possible and regime change that would force Russia to consider new circumstances. The only hope of keeping a remaining Ukrainian teritory.
Eve that may not work, as Galicia will try to kkeep piwer in Kuev. A no-no to Russia.
Good analysis. I think the “deliberate slow grind” (I agree that’s what Russia is doing) may turn out to be an especially clever strategy. It maximizes the Russian advantage in artillery and armor, limits casualties (not only for the RF) and prolongs the painful blowback on the West of those idiotic sanctions. Chilly weather is closer every day.
Also, of course, every day another little bit of Ukraine falls to the grinder and more bits are wrecked. And more Ukrainian cannon fodder is sacrificed for no possible gain. Prolonging this catastrophe is stunningly-stupid behavior by Ukraine and despicably-cynical behavior by the US/NATO.
I don’t think it matters very much whether Zelensky stays or goes. But, to the extent that it does matter, it might be better that he, the elected president, be the leader who negotiates an end to this disaster.
Let’s hope. This could be like the peace talks that macron had before the war started.
Alikhanov noted that the EU has made previous commitments guaranteeing the transit of goods to Kaliningrad.
All the EU has to do is honor the previous commitments. Is that so hard to do? Lithuania wants to be another Ukraine, they don’t expect a military response because they are a NATO member.
The US/UK/Poland/ and the Baltic states want war with Russia, they think the continental NATO members are at their disposal.
Why wouldn’t Russia use its nuclear umbrella when the western powers are ganging up on them?
Looks like the only way to avoid a long war the neo-goons in D.C. want would be nuclear weapons, unless the Europeans want a long drawn out conventional war on their soil ending up like the ME.
Biden and his neo-goons are unreasonable people.
They aren’t his “neo-goons.” He’s just another member of the manager class doing the work of the Owners. In Biden’s case, it has been the work of a lifetime and he has ended up in the White House at a time when you can’t tell the neocons from the liberal interventionists even with a program. 😏
Actually they are all the same no matter what we call them.
Not only is every action and reaction ratcheting up the crisis toward world war, so too is the number of flash-points that could trigger it.
https://patternofhistory.wordpress.com/
For centuries the Germanic tribes pushed against the Slavs northwards along the Baltic coast all the way to Estonia. Riga became a German-Dutch town. A counter-push began after WW1, spearheaded by the Soviet Union. Kaliningrad is one of the consequences. The NATO membership of these countries has made them subject to the Germanic tribes again. After all, we Americans are derivatives of Germanic tribes.
Good history, Dieter, but not sure about the relevance. The war here is between the western mil ind corporate empire vs the Russian nationalists, no?
Ok I’ll say “no” which is the answer it appears you want.
Lithuania is being pushed by USUK to escalate, now that the Ukraine caper is turning sour. But they should remember what happened to Poland in ’39 … alliances are only worth something if your ally is actually capable of taking the field. Russia is very close and the NATO heartland very far.
It is also screaming for help, for forces to be sent, for bases to be built. Meanwhile, its own defense budget will be “raised” to half the % GDP the US spends, from far less — which hardly matters only because they are far too small to pay for any real defense at any % including 100%, worse than Ukraine in that regard.
Lithuania is de-nazifying Russia. Lol.
Nonsense, As if EU can enforce other Russian sea ports in Baltic Sea…!
As Andrei Martyanov has pointed out, Russia can ferry goods on large ferries and other ships. They can bypass the rail road if they have to. And any attempt to interfere with Russian shipping will meet with Russian Naval assets which the West can not match in Russia’s back yard.
Report: EU in Talks on Kaliningrad Compromise That Could Defuse Tensions
Caused By EU With Russia