"Russia Considering Land Route Construction with Military Mobilization"
US: "Commitment to NATO Charter Article 5 is Ironclad"
On the 21st (local time), cargo trains lined up at the Kaliningrad train station in Russia. Since the 18th, Lithuania, a member of the European Union (EU), has restricted the transportation of cargo trains between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia passing through its territory, causing cargo trains carrying restricted items such as coal and steel to be stranded. Kaliningrad, Russia = AP·Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] After Lithuania announced restrictions on cargo transportation to Kaliningrad, an exclave of Russia, Russia summoned the European Union (EU) ambassador following Lithuania. Russia is not stopping there and is considering establishing a land corridor connecting the mainland and Kaliningrad using military force.
The U.S. government hinted at the possibility of direct military intervention under the collective defense treaty if NATO member Lithuania's territory is invaded, escalating military tensions in the Baltic Sea region.
On the 21st (local time), the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, "We summoned Markus Ederer, the EU ambassador to Moscow, to the Foreign Ministry and firmly protested the unilateral anti-Russian measure restricting cargo transportation between Kaliningrad and the Russian mainland." It added, "We pointed out that the EU's actions are unacceptable and demanded the immediate restoration of cargo transportation," warning strongly, "If not, retaliatory measures will follow."
This measure is interpreted as a direct protest to the EU after Lithuania explained that the cargo transportation restrictions were due to EU sanctions against Russia and not a unilateral action by Lithuania. The Russian government strongly opposed the transportation restrictions and summoned the Lithuanian charg? d'affaires the day before. In response, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis explained at a press conference, "The cargo transportation restrictions are based on EU guidelines in consultation with the European Commission," adding, "Cargo transportation not subject to sanctions will continue to be guaranteed."
The Lithuanian railway authorities declared that from the 18th, they would suspend the transportation of cargo subject to EU sanctions against Russia via rail to Kaliningrad. The restricted items include coal, steel, construction materials, and advanced engineering products, reportedly limiting about 50% of cargo shipments to Kaliningrad.
Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave adjacent to the Baltic Sea, surrounded by Lithuania to the east and Poland to the south. The main railways and roads connecting the Russian mainland to Kaliningrad pass through Lithuanian territory.
Concerns are growing that Russia may carry out military provocations against Baltic Sea neighboring countries such as Lithuania as part of retaliatory measures. According to Germany's S?ddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), Russian and Belarusian forces have conducted joint exercises from 2017 to last year, training to break through the border area between Poland and Lithuania surrounding Kaliningrad to establish a land corridor.
The border area between Poland and Lithuania is called the "Suwalki Gap," characterized by flat terrain and sparse population. SZ pointed out that if Russian armored units break through and occupy this area, NATO would find it difficult to respond quickly.
As the possibility of Russian provocations emerged, the U.S. government emphasized collective defense for Lithuania, a NATO member, and issued a strong warning to Russia.
Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said at a press briefing, "We welcome Lithuania and other countries' unprecedented measures against Russia," emphasizing, "We support NATO and Lithuania. Our commitment to Article 5 of the NATO Charter is ironclad." Article 5 of the NATO Charter stipulates collective defense among member countries, considering an attack on one member as an attack on all, triggering joint military response.
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