Russia's threats to Lithuania pose challenge for EU, NATO says Zelenskyy

Russia's attempts to threaten Lithuania as it banned  transit of goods to Kaliningr region "pose a challenge for European Union and NATO," Ukraine's president Office's he Andriy Yermak said on Telegram. Russia has provoked concern in Brussels as it warned of a retaliatory move over Lithuania’s recent ban. latter banned transportation of coal, metals, construction materials and vanced technology, that constitutes around 50% of all goods exported by Russia. 

" Kremlin's attempts to threaten Lithuania are a challenge for EU and NATO. Now it is important to maintain a stable position and make no concessions to Russia on sanctions and restrictions on transit of goods from Russia to Kaliningr. Any concession will be perceived by Russia as a weakness," Yermak said in a Telegram post. 

Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Lithuanian Charge d'Affaires, Virginia Umbrasene. Moscow's officials "strongly protested" Lithuania's move of banning transit of its exports, and demanded that such an ection must immediately be reversed. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis h earlier cautioned that NATO and European Union cannot underestimate danger posed by Russia. And that bloc "must be fully prepared" of consequences of challenging Moscow's authoritarian leer Vlimir Putin as whole of EU teeters on brink of "huge political change."  

Russia labels ban as 'unprecedented'

Vilnius' recent measure was labelled as “unprecedented” in Moscow, triggering widespre anger. EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, meanwhile said in a statement issued later that Lithuania was simply enforcing bloc’s sanctions directed in response to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine. “I am always worried about Russian retaliation,” said Borrell. “re is no blocke. land transit between Kaliningr and or parts of Russia has not been banned. Second, transit of people and goods that are not sanctioned continues. Third, Lithuania has not taken any unilateral national restrictions."

Moscow, although asserted that  it "reserves right to act to protect its national interests."

"I hope that Lithuanian representatives have some remnants of some professionalism in assessing situation... y must understand consequences - and consequences, unfortunately, will come," Russia's foreing ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.