Russian senator threatens Lithuania with war due to Kaliningrad

EUROPEAN PRAVDA – WEDNESDAY, 29 JUNE 2022, 17:07

Vladimir Dzhabarov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council on International Affairs, said that the "blockade" of Kaliningrad Oblast could lead to an armed conflict with Russia.

This was reported by "European Pravda" with reference to the Russian "Interfax".

"If this (blockade) happens, it could lead to an armed conflict. And the truth must be told in person. According to Article 4 of our Constitution, the Russian state is obliged to protect its territory and ensure its security. If we feel that this security is violated and we are threatened with the loss of territory, then, of course, we will take extreme measures and nothing will stop us,"  Dzhabarov told Russian television.

He said that NATO "is still thinking about it" and stated that Lithuania with its decision to limit transit to Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast had acted "according to the instructions of two countries – Britain in the first instance and the United States, because they would like Russia to get involved in some kind of conflict."

Lithuania has restricted the transit of steel and ferrous metals to Kaliningrad Oblast, citing the clarifications of the European Union. Moscow has said that these transit restrictions violate international agreements and has threatened to retaliate.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the EU would review the legal aspects of the European Commission's sanctions guidelines, according to which Lithuania has restricted transit to Kaliningrad.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda believes that there should be no concessions to Russia on this issue.