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Lithuania tells Russia about transit restrictions timeline — diplomat

That happened amid the recent Lithuanian restrictions on transit of some freight to Russia’s Kaliningrad Region

MOSCOW, June 21. /TASS/. Lithuania sent Russia a diplomatic note where it set out the dates when certain Russian cargoes will fall under EU sanctions, Sergey Ryabokon, a Russian charge d'affaires in Lithuania, said on Rossiya-1 television on Monday.

That happened amid the recent Lithuanian restrictions on transit of some freight to Russia’s Kaliningrad Region.

"They gave us a note today where they reminded us of the timeline - starting with July, August, December, January - when certain restrictions will take effect," he said. "It’s oil products in December-January, if I’m not mistaken, while coal will be earlier, around August."

The diplomat said these moves by Lithuania are seeking to harm the Kaliningrad transit. The curbs are "a partial blockade that they are effectively introducing against our region," he said.

Lithuania informed Kaliningrad’s railways that from June 18 transit of some goods from Russian regions to the Kaliningrad Region was limited due to EU sanctions on Russia. The Kaliningrad Region governor said the move was illegal and violated the agreements that the country committed to when joining the EU. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the action by Lithuania was openly hostile and demanded the restrictions be removed immediately. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision by Vilnius was unprecedented and illegal. He said Russia will analyze the situation and come up with retaliatory measures. Lithuania said it merely followed the EU sanctions.