On Friday, Moscow warned Lithuania and the EU that it could take “harsh measures” if the embargo imposed on Kaliningrad was not lifted.
“If the situation does not stabilize in the coming days, then Russia will take harsh measures against Lithuania and the European Union,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. “The issue has taken too long to resolve.”
Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave sandwiched between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic Sea. Lithuania recently began enforcing EU sanctions on goods traveling through its territory by rail, a move that risks a response from Moscow.
At the end of June, Reuters reported that European officials were in talks on a compromise that would exempt goods traveling to Kaliningrad from EU sanctions, but so far, a deal hasn’t been reached.
The report said that one thing holding up a compromise is the fact that Lithuania doesn’t want to appear like it’s making a concession to Russia. Lithuanian officials have said publicly that they won’t reverse their decision.
Lithuanian officials have also said they don’t think Russia would respond to the embargo with military action because Lithuania is a NATO member. The announcement that Lithuania was enforcing EU sanctions on Kaliningrad came ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid, where the alliance pledged to put more troops in the Baltic states.
Soon Lithuania will be a smoking hole!
A perfect example of a country “asking for it!” I can still see some “antiwar” personalities here say, “Russia’s invasion of Lithuania is a war of aggression, unprovoked, and unjustified.” But Lithuanians should have more common sense and should be out protesting against their own government. If they don’t, then when would be a good time to protest?
They have to toe the NATO line or else
I see what ever naval fleet they have to cause problems in the Baltic Sea.
And you wonder why a universe bursting at the seams with intelligent life doesnt come and mingle???
Would you?
Hell no!
Many Lithuanians in positions of authority appear to be living in a fantasy world where the Polish-Lithuanian Empire is a powerful adversary capable of successfully challenging Russia.
Perfectly understandable. What could go wrong?
You know the Poles are involve in this up to their eyeballs. It’s not 1920 with Budyonny’s 1st Cavalry Army.
Absolutely. The Poles are clearly panting excitedly at the prospect of reclaiming territory they believe in their hearts is rightfully theirs.
They probably aren’t so confused as to imagine that they can pull off another battle of Komarów on their own, but if the US/NATO will just wade in a little deeper . . .
Who knows? Maybe Russia would happily let Poland have Lvov and its hinterlands. Call it Polish Banderastan.
Russia could cut off the gas to Germany until rail service to Kaliningrad is restored. Russia is having no problems selling all their gas to non-Nato countries. In such a scenario, either Germany industry would immediately shut down, or rail shipments would be restored
There are many roads to world war – or rail lines – one very apt one in this scenario is the metaphor of the tail wagging the dog.
https://patternofhistory.wordpress.com/