DISINFO: Lithuanian decision to apply EU sanctions on the transit of goods to Kaliningrad is illegal
SUMMARY
Provocative measures of the Lithuanian side, violate the international legal obligations of Lithuania, especially the Joint Declaration of the Russian Federation and the European Union on the operation of facilitated transit between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of the Russian Federation of 2002.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformattion narrative about sanctions but this time with a new twist against Lithuania.
Implementing the EU sanctions, Lithuania applied the decided restrictions to specific categories of goods that are transported by rail, via the EU territory, to and from Kaliningrad.
As foreseen in the fourth package of EU sanctions, which was adopted on 15 March 2022, the EU's restrictive measures on imports into and transit through the EU of Russian steel and other ferrous metal products definitively entered into force on 17 June 2022.
The transit of passengers and non-sanctioned goods to and from the Kaliningrad region through Lithuania continues uniterrupted. Lithuania has not imposed any unilateral, individual, or additional restrictions on the transit.
According to the EU High Representative Josep Borrell (20 June 2022):
Lithuania has not taken any unilateral national restrictions and only applies the European Union sanctions. So, the accusation against Lithuania “Lithuania is implementing Lithuanian sanctions” is false. Pure propaganda. Lithuania has not taken any unilateral national restrictions. But, in accordance with European Union sanctions there are imports and export restrictions that apply in relation with certain goods, including the prohibition of transit from those goods through European Union territory. Lithuania is doing nothing else than implementing the guidelines provided by the Commission. Lithuania has been asking to the Commission, which has been providing guidelines and Lithuania is implementing these guidelines.
EU sanctions are directed against the Russian government, the Russian financial sector and the economic elites, targeting the Kremlin’s ability to finance the illegal military aggression against Ukraine. These are legitimate restrictions imposed in accordance with international and European law as a response to the Russian violations of international legalities, such as Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
The EU established the sanctions regime under its laws, specifically Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, "concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine."
Read also the related stories on the illegality of Western sanctions: US, Canada, Switzerland to blame for a surge in food and energy prices due to illegal sanctions on Russia, Sanctions against Russia are illegal, Russia was subjected to illegal sanctions, New Western sanctions against Belarus are illegal, inhumane and cynical, UK sanctions on Russia are illegal, Western sanctions are illegal and hostile actions.
Technical remark: This disinformation was broadcast via RT on 21 June 2022. Due to the EU decision to temporarily restrict the spread and dissemination of RT and Sputnik inside the EU, access to the link may not work inside the EU.