EU wants to defuse the Kaliningrad conflict

"The EU Commission is working on a new guideline on the transport of sanctioned goods. 

It is intended to make it clear that normal freight traffic from Russia to the Kaliningrad exclave is not affected.

The EU Commission wants to defuse the conflict over the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. According to information from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, new guidelines on how to handle the sanctions regime are to be published in the next few days. 

According to the Commission, the transport of goods by rail from Russia to the Kaliningrad exclave will continue to be allowed. Goods from the sanctions list can also be brought across the rail corridor in the usual quantities without restrictions. However, the transports should be checked for abnormalities.

The conflict broke out ten days ago when Lithuania blocked steel and iron supplies from Russia to Kaliningrad via the railway line. At the time, the Lithuanian government emphasized that it was adhering to the EU Commission's sanctions guidelines - a statement confirmed by the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell. In the meantime, the freight trains are running again without hindrance, even according to the Russian account.

Russia initially reacted sharply to the transport stop, speaking of a "de facto blockade" and threatening disproportionate counterattacks. In the meantime, research into the causes and a reassessment have begun in the EU Commission. 

Apparently, the original directive came from the Trade Commission under Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, a former Latvian Prime Minister. 

According to the SZ, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revised the confrontational attitude, which also legally contradicts the "Joint Declaration" of the EU and Russia on transit traffic from November 2002. 

It was disputed whether the transit from Russia to the exclave would have fallen under the formula of "import, export and transfer" applied in the sanctions regime. It is also unclear whether the trade commissariat acted in ignorance of the escalation in security policy or even at the request of the Lithuanian government.

The Commission's correction thus defuses a dangerous situation in terms of security policy. 

In Brussels it is now said that transit is generally permitted and will be made possible. However, Lithuania has the right and duty to know what is being transported.

Traditionally, the Baltic states have advocated taking a tough line with Russia, pointing out that Kaliningrad was already a hub for smuggled goods before the Ukraine war. In Russia, agitators like former President Dmitry Medvedev used the opportunity and spoke of a "threat to the fatherland". A pretext for war is often constructed with reference to a national threat.

The Commission's new guidelines should not only regulate how to deal with the steel and iron embargo, but also the next stages in the sanctions regime. Cement and alcohol fall under the ban on July 10, followed a month later by coal. Later in the year oil and refined products will be affected by the sanctions.

After the correction from Brussels, the different perspectives from the Commission on the implementation of the sanctions can no longer be disguised. It was remarkable that the Russian side tried to calm things down and gave the EU time to clarify. This showed that Moscow was not really interested in an escalation with NATO and EU members. Although there are no direct negotiations between Moscow and Brussels, the signals are being carefully noted. In Moscow in the past few days, however, voices such as the influential secretary of the National Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, have increased, who now want to introduce sanctions against Lithuania. Observers speak of a camp of hawks and doves. The moderate side is now pushing for a signal from the EU.

The Commission, in turn, is not only faced with the problem of revising a directive that has already been passed as quietly as possible. It also has to take into account the domestic political situation in Lithuania, where a change of course would be interpreted as weakness in the face of Russia. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis made it clear in an interview that his country had not sought "any additional clarification". "What has been presented is sufficient and clear," said Landsbergis. Russia should not be allowed to win "a diplomatic victory". This is not the only reason why Lithuania should be given the opportunity to intervene in the event of serious violations of sanctions during transit, i.e. if exceptionally large quantities of sanctioned goods are transported."

 

It's the brother from Latvia who caused the commotion here, not understanding the international treaty and the security situation. It is bad that idiots like G. Landsbergis also are present in Latvia.