> According to the document, Russia will be allowed to transport sanctioned goods to Kaliningrad, but only in amounts comparable to pre-invasion deliveries.
>
> The rule is designed to prevent products from being exported to other countries via Kaliningrad in violation of EU sanctions. Lithuanian customs documents are to be used to determine exactly how much Russia will be allowed to deliver to the exclave.
>
>
> In special cases, such as for necessary repairs to waterway locks, the amount may be exceeded, say sources in Brussels. But Russia will have to justify each exception.
>
> The policy that has been adopted by the Commission largely reflects the position of the German government. Berlin had been critical of the approach taken by Lithuania.
>
> …
>
> There are, however, good arguments for the Lithuanian position. Russia is exporting sanctioned goods into the EU and then exporting them further to Russia – which is forbidden by the sanctions. And the Lithuanians even cleared their position with the European Commission – at the technical level, as is now being emphasized.
>
>
> That means that Commission officials had examined the legal situation and determined that Lithuania’s policy was the correct one. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also said that the position of the Lithuanian government was consistent with the sanctions regime.
>
> On the other hand, the issue of Kaliningrad was briefly addressed in March at a meeting of EU ambassadors focused on the fourth package of sanctions. The group was not of the opinion that transport between Russia and its exclave was affected by the sanctions.
>
> …
>
> With this solution, the Commission hopes to provide Lithuania with a face-saving route to suspend its current blockade. Nevertheless, some in Vilnius are nevertheless viewing it as a defeat. “Russia has apparently managed to strike fear into the European Commission,” says political scientist Dovilė Jakniūnaitė. “It is no longer about a few railway wagons. Now, it looks like threats are paying off for Russia.”
>
>”It’s not us that changed position,” is a statement heard frequently from sources close to the Lithuanian government these days. And discontent with Berlin is significant. “The Germans have been putting pressure on the EU Commission since June 18 to ensure that the sanctions do not apply to Kaliningrad,” says a Lithuanian representative who is familiar with the negotiations. It’s unclear, say some, whether the German troops stationed in Lithuania as part of the NATO contingent would be available if Russia attacked the country or whether they would be withdrawn.
What a joke
This is why the UK was agaisnt west Germany and east Germany reuniting. They have too much power now and this is what they do with their power.
The Kalinyingrad sanctions were showing actual and visible effects on Russia and they want to remove them…
How are they planning to win this?
*Are they* planning to?
Peace for our time
>That means that Commission officials had examined the legal situation and determined that Lithuania’s policy was the correct one. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also said that the position of the Lithuanian government was consistent with the sanctions regime.
So everything was correct, but the Russian lobby (seriously, how else can you call it) pushed through the exemption. I am so glad that the EU is so hard at work at helping Putin…
>With this solution, the Commission hopes to provide Lithuania with a face-saving route to suspend its current blockade. Nevertheless, some in Vilnius are nevertheless viewing it as a defeat. “Russia has apparently managed to strike fear into the European Commission,” says political scientist Dovilė Jakniūnaitė. “It is no longer about a few railway wagons. Now, it looks like threats are paying off for Russia.”
Absolute horse shit. Lithuania isnt the one needing to save face here. They didnt ask for this. They did everything right. The political scientist is correct. The mere thought of a Russian threat is enough for our “elites” to bend over backwards.
Wonder what all the people defending Scholz yesterday will say. He doesnt want to make an exemption my ass.
Russia lowers gas supply and Germany is on her knees.
I thought the idea of trading with Russia was about **co-dependency**, but so far Russia is still successfully doing whatever it wants.
FREUDE
>The policy that has been adopted by the Commission largely reflects the position of the German government. Berlin had been critical of the approach taken by Lithuania.
>
>German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is eager to avoid unnecessary provocations of Russia. He has repeatedly emphasized that he would do everything in his power to ensure that NATO does not become a party to the war between Russia and Ukraine. German soldiers are stationed in Lithuania and could become involved in a possible conflict.
>
>The rules for the transit of goods, Scholz said at the conclusion of recent NATO summit in Madrid, “must of course be established in light of the fact that this is about shipments between two parts of Russia.” The comment made it clear that Berlin has a different interpretation of the legal situation than the government in Lithuania.
Disgraceful and spineless. Germany pushes for lifting some sanctions against Russia, while Lithuania emphatically disagrees with appeasing Putin. Makes little sense to give up any leverage the EU may have against Russia.
>With this solution, the Commission hopes to provide Lithuania with a face-saving route to suspend its current blockade. Nevertheless, some in Vilnius are nevertheless viewing it as a defeat. “Russia has apparently managed to strike fear into the European Commission,” says political scientist Dovilė Jakniūnaitė. “It is no longer about a few railway wagons. Now, it looks like threats are paying off for Russia.”
Good guy germany, always there for their bro.
Spineless shitebags.
Ummm… I totally don’t see any reason why this would be bad. /s
Edit: had to put the /s if I wasn’t clear enough already
it was always allowed though? Sea route is open, Russia have naval presence in Baltic sea not only from Kaliningrad.
Disgrace. The commission shows once more that it’s there to be ineffective.
Sounds like Lithuanians and other east Europeans should demand presence of their border police on the German–Russian border. If somebody didn’t understand yet: it is not about allowing “russian tranports” it is about stopping controlling (i.e. looking inside) of the russian transports. Of course the new decision is valid for both directions.
I remind that the Polish-Belorussian border is basically blocked. The only alternative was Kaliningrad-Germany, but it was pointless because of the necessity to pass Lithuanian customs.
Fuck this.
Come on, EU. This is incredibly disappointing. What side are you on?
Ukrainians are COUNTING on you. You have their trust. Make sure you bloody deserve it
17 comments
>…
> According to the document, Russia will be allowed to transport sanctioned goods to Kaliningrad, but only in amounts comparable to pre-invasion deliveries.
>
> The rule is designed to prevent products from being exported to other countries via Kaliningrad in violation of EU sanctions. Lithuanian customs documents are to be used to determine exactly how much Russia will be allowed to deliver to the exclave.
>
>
> In special cases, such as for necessary repairs to waterway locks, the amount may be exceeded, say sources in Brussels. But Russia will have to justify each exception.
>
> The policy that has been adopted by the Commission largely reflects the position of the German government. Berlin had been critical of the approach taken by Lithuania.
>
> …
>
> There are, however, good arguments for the Lithuanian position. Russia is exporting sanctioned goods into the EU and then exporting them further to Russia – which is forbidden by the sanctions. And the Lithuanians even cleared their position with the European Commission – at the technical level, as is now being emphasized.
>
>
> That means that Commission officials had examined the legal situation and determined that Lithuania’s policy was the correct one. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also said that the position of the Lithuanian government was consistent with the sanctions regime.
>
> On the other hand, the issue of Kaliningrad was briefly addressed in March at a meeting of EU ambassadors focused on the fourth package of sanctions. The group was not of the opinion that transport between Russia and its exclave was affected by the sanctions.
>
> …
>
> With this solution, the Commission hopes to provide Lithuania with a face-saving route to suspend its current blockade. Nevertheless, some in Vilnius are nevertheless viewing it as a defeat. “Russia has apparently managed to strike fear into the European Commission,” says political scientist Dovilė Jakniūnaitė. “It is no longer about a few railway wagons. Now, it looks like threats are paying off for Russia.”
>
>”It’s not us that changed position,” is a statement heard frequently from sources close to the Lithuanian government these days. And discontent with Berlin is significant. “The Germans have been putting pressure on the EU Commission since June 18 to ensure that the sanctions do not apply to Kaliningrad,” says a Lithuanian representative who is familiar with the negotiations. It’s unclear, say some, whether the German troops stationed in Lithuania as part of the NATO contingent would be available if Russia attacked the country or whether they would be withdrawn.
What a joke
This is why the UK was agaisnt west Germany and east Germany reuniting. They have too much power now and this is what they do with their power.
The Kalinyingrad sanctions were showing actual and visible effects on Russia and they want to remove them…
How are they planning to win this?
*Are they* planning to?
Peace for our time
>That means that Commission officials had examined the legal situation and determined that Lithuania’s policy was the correct one. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also said that the position of the Lithuanian government was consistent with the sanctions regime.
So everything was correct, but the Russian lobby (seriously, how else can you call it) pushed through the exemption. I am so glad that the EU is so hard at work at helping Putin…
>With this solution, the Commission hopes to provide Lithuania with a face-saving route to suspend its current blockade. Nevertheless, some in Vilnius are nevertheless viewing it as a defeat. “Russia has apparently managed to strike fear into the European Commission,” says political scientist Dovilė Jakniūnaitė. “It is no longer about a few railway wagons. Now, it looks like threats are paying off for Russia.”
Absolute horse shit. Lithuania isnt the one needing to save face here. They didnt ask for this. They did everything right. The political scientist is correct. The mere thought of a Russian threat is enough for our “elites” to bend over backwards.
Wonder what all the people defending Scholz yesterday will say. He doesnt want to make an exemption my ass.
Russia lowers gas supply and Germany is on her knees.
I thought the idea of trading with Russia was about **co-dependency**, but so far Russia is still successfully doing whatever it wants.
FREUDE
>The policy that has been adopted by the Commission largely reflects the position of the German government. Berlin had been critical of the approach taken by Lithuania.
>
>German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is eager to avoid unnecessary provocations of Russia. He has repeatedly emphasized that he would do everything in his power to ensure that NATO does not become a party to the war between Russia and Ukraine. German soldiers are stationed in Lithuania and could become involved in a possible conflict.
>
>The rules for the transit of goods, Scholz said at the conclusion of recent NATO summit in Madrid, “must of course be established in light of the fact that this is about shipments between two parts of Russia.” The comment made it clear that Berlin has a different interpretation of the legal situation than the government in Lithuania.
Disgraceful and spineless. Germany pushes for lifting some sanctions against Russia, while Lithuania emphatically disagrees with appeasing Putin. Makes little sense to give up any leverage the EU may have against Russia.
>With this solution, the Commission hopes to provide Lithuania with a face-saving route to suspend its current blockade. Nevertheless, some in Vilnius are nevertheless viewing it as a defeat. “Russia has apparently managed to strike fear into the European Commission,” says political scientist Dovilė Jakniūnaitė. “It is no longer about a few railway wagons. Now, it looks like threats are paying off for Russia.”
Good guy germany, always there for their bro.
Spineless shitebags.
Ummm… I totally don’t see any reason why this would be bad. /s
Edit: had to put the /s if I wasn’t clear enough already
it was always allowed though? Sea route is open, Russia have naval presence in Baltic sea not only from Kaliningrad.
Disgrace. The commission shows once more that it’s there to be ineffective.
Sounds like Lithuanians and other east Europeans should demand presence of their border police on the German–Russian border. If somebody didn’t understand yet: it is not about allowing “russian tranports” it is about stopping controlling (i.e. looking inside) of the russian transports. Of course the new decision is valid for both directions.
I remind that the Polish-Belorussian border is basically blocked. The only alternative was Kaliningrad-Germany, but it was pointless because of the necessity to pass Lithuanian customs.
Fuck this.
Come on, EU. This is incredibly disappointing. What side are you on?
Ukrainians are COUNTING on you. You have their trust. Make sure you bloody deserve it