declared ruler Kaliningrad The arrival of the first freight train from Russia to the territory of the Russian Federation since the European Union issued a decision obligating Lithuania to allow the passage of Russian goods through its territory.
Anton Alikhanov explained that the first train arrived following the European Union’s decision, adding, “This is a very important achievement,” according to the TASS news agency.
The territory, which lies between the European Union and NATO members Lithuania and Poland, mainly depends on Russia for a large part of its supplies, but shipments must pass through Lithuanian territory.
ban on russian goods
The region, which is roughly half the size of Switzerland and has a population of regarding one million and is not connected to Russian territory, has become increasingly isolated since the Russian military operation in Ukraine in February.
Last month, Vilnius announced a ban on the transit of some Russian goods by trains through its territory, in implementation of European Union sanctions once morest Moscow.
European exception
Alikhanov said at the time that this “blockade” affects up to 50 percent of the region’s imports, including coal, minerals and building materials.
But the European Union passed a resolution this month obligating Lithuania to allow the passage of sanctioned goods, except for arms, between Russia and Kaliningrad.
The Red Army captured this area from Germany in the final stages of World War II, and Kaliningrad was separated from Russian territory following the collapse of the Soviet Union and Lithuania’s independence.
