Kaliningrad Rail Transport Disputes. The U.S. Supports Lithuania, Russia Warns of “Consequences”

The U.S. said it was “on Lithuania’s side,” after Russia warned Lithuania over the restrictions on rail transport in Kaliningrad and called it a “hostile action.”

Ned Price, spokesman of the U.S. State Department said: “Specifically our commitment to NATO’s Article Five – the premise that “an attack on one would constitute an attack on all” – that commitment on the part of the United States is ironclad.”

Russia has warned that Lithuania’s decision of restricting rail transport will bring serious consequences, and called it a “hostile action.” Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, and is located between Lithuania and Poland. The U.S. welcomed the “unprecedented economic measures” taken by Lithuania, while declaring that it doesn’t want to give “Russian saber-rattling or Russian bluster” any “additional airtime”.

Lithuania has stated that its ban of transit of goods to the Kaliningrad enclave is in accordance with EU sanctions against Russia. Lithuania is a member of both NATO and the EU.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said: “it’s ironic to hear rhetoric about alleged violations of international treaties from a country which has violated possibly every single international treaty.”

“There is no Kaliningrad blockade,” Lithuania Prime Minister said, and adding, “Lithuania is implementing EU sanctions.” However, Russia has demanded “the immediate restoration of normal Kaliningrad transit.”