Reuters: The EU is discussing the possibility of transiting sanctioned goods through its territory for delivery to Kaliningrad • Novaya Gazeta Europe • RIMA

Reuters: The EU is discussing the possibility of transiting sanctioned goods through its territory for delivery to Kaliningrad

The European Union is discussing how to allow transit through its territory to Kaliningrad of goods with goods that fell under sanctions. This was reported to Reuters by two sources familiar with the situation.

One of the options for a compromise, according to the interlocutor of the agency, is the lifting of EU sanctions on freight traffic between Kaliningrad and the rest of Russia on the grounds that this is not considered international trade, since Kaliningrad is part of the Russian Federation. However, a concession can be made on the condition that the goods are used directly in the region, and not exported through the port of Kaliningrad. In addition, this option may put Lithuania in a vulnerable position.

Another option is humanitarian grounds for allowing the transit of goods, Reuters writes.

One of the agency's interlocutors said that if the traditional route through Belarus and Lithuania is not restored, the latter fears that Moscow may use military force to build a land corridor through its territory. In addition, the European economy is highly dependent on Russian gas imports and will be vulnerable if flows are reduced.

According to Reuters, a decision on a compromise could be made next week or July 10, when cement and alcohol are included in the list of sanctioned goods. Now there are restrictions on the transit of iron, steel and metals through the EU countries to Kaliningrad.

Last week, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda spoke out against the return of the transit of sanctioned goods to the Kaliningrad region. However, before that, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the EU does not want to block traffic between Kaliningrad and Russia. In the near future, the European Commission will provide clarifications on the procedure for implementing anti-Russian sanctions in the context of transport links with Kaliningrad, he said.