How can Russia Lithuania help in delaying the transit of goods in Kaliningrad?
Security Council Secretary Patrushev announced the study of response measures and their adoption in the near future. So far, according to the authorities of the Kaliningrad region, the ban will affect almost 50% of cargo. The only obvious alternative route is the ferry service, but it requires at least seven additional vessels to be introduced. How will the price situation in Kaliningrad develop?
Russia’s response to Vilnius’s ban on the transit of goods in Kaliningrad can seriously say about the inhabitants of Lithuania – this was stated by Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev during a visit to the Kaliningrad region. Earlier, Vilnius introduced a limit on the rail transit of sanctioned Russian cargo through heavy Lithuania. What were the consequences of the Kaliningrad business and what could be the consequences for the Lithuanians?
The Secretary of the Russian Security Council threatened Vilnius, application in Kaliningrad – it is reported that the trip was planned and not timed to coincide with the Lithuanian sanctions. How get excited Nikolai Patrushev, response measures “are being worked out in an interdepartmental format and will be adopted in the near future”, and their consequences “will have a serious negative impact on the population of Lithuania.” Lithuania borders on the Kaliningrad region and Belarus, but is separated from the main territory of Russia by Latvia.
Before the crisis, in 2019 the World Bank grade the trade turnover between the two countries is about 10 billion dollars, but the figure does not include the transit of foreign goods through the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda. Given that Vilnius is already freeing itself from Russian gas and electricity, what kind of economic response is appropriate for Moscow? For example, can Russia ban the import of goods passing through Klaipeda? The opinion is voiced by Georgy Vlastopulo, General Director of Optimal Logistics:
George Vlastopulo CEO of Optimal Logistics —
According to the estimates of the authorities of the Kaliningrad region, the new restrictions affected adult cargo following the transit through Lithuania. According to the list on website region, these are cast iron, steel, jet fuel, coal, peat, products for the aviation and space industries, luxury goods, alcohol, clothing, perfumes and much more – the full list takes 66 A4 pages. Cargo flows will be redirected to the sea route – how informed Governor of the region Anton Alikhanov, this requires seven additional courts, and the authorities are already in contact with transport companies. Estimates of the impact of restrictions on cost and serious logistics have not been calculated, but the Kaliningrad business is already expecting a rise in price:
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Konti group of companies, restaurateur Igor Krupitsky:
“This does not concern products mainly, it concerns the non-food group of goods. But I think that everything that could be delivered by rail will be delivered by sea. It is technically possible by sea, there will simply be an increase in the cost of products. We do not bloom them yet, because little time has passed. Within two or three months, this will already be reflected.
Director of the Kaliningrad company “Baltofis” Sergey Tsedik:
“From July 10, the sixth package states: [запрет] on the import of goods there for foreign economic activity 94.03, if you look at all finished furniture plus all components and accessories, there are a lot. Therefore, even if the Lithuanians had not introduced a transit ban, we would still have done it here. Stocks for two or three months, but we cannot make very, very many stocks. Here is another question, how do they prepare products from here after July 10 to import, we made furniture for a customer in St. Petersburg or in Moscow, how to deliver it? Only by ferry. And with the ferry, too, not everything is so simple. Part of the cargo on the ferry was purchased in advance, more in demand on the market, and it will be very difficult for us to send such small cargo. What will happen after the 10th, I don’t know.”
On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry happened Markus Ederer, head of the device representative office. The diplomat drew attention to the fact that there was no talk of a “blockade” in Kaliningrad, and said that Brussels wanted to resolve the issue of passing the route and “not aggravate”. [ситуацию] neither in word nor in deed.
Vladimir Putin has not yet commented. It can be assumed that some comments of the president will be made at a meeting with Belarusian traffic Alexander Lukashenko within the framework of the forum of the regions of the Union State. Event will pass from June 30 to July 1 in Grodno. This is the nearest city of Belarus to the Kaliningrad region and the borders of Lithuania and Poland.