DISINFO: Lithuania exposed itself to Russian nuclear strike
SUMMARY
Lithuanian politicians were afraid of their own decision to ban part of the transit to the Kaliningrad region. They unanimously justify themselves that the decision was made not by Lithuania, but by the European Union, and in general this ban is not a blockade at all. However, they themselves admit that [...] the blockage of access to the westernmost region of Russia gives it grounds for a harsh military response.
Lithuania exposed itself to a Russian military strike: the path it took to blockade the Kaliningrad region ends with the use of nuclear weapons against Vilnius.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about sanctions.
Implementing the EU sanctions, Lithuania applied 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 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 following Russia’s armed aggression in Donbas, illegal annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions target the Kremlin’s ability to finance the military aggression against Ukraine. These are restrictions imposed in accordance with international and European law as a response to 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."
Technical remark: This disinformation was also 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.