Lithuania and Borrell erred, must make amends
Victor Angelo
The European Union's High
Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell considers the Lithuanian
decision to ban the transit through its territory of certain goods in
circulation between other parts of Russia and the Russian region of Kaliningrad
as correct. Borrell further clarifies that the ban only includes goods that are
on the EU's sanctions list. That is, steel and other metals, construction
materials, technological items and soon coal and later oil. Borrell seeks to
protect Lithuania by saying that the decision of that country's government
merely complies with what had been approved at European level. The ban covers
about 50% of rail and road traffic between Kaliningrad and the rest of Russia.
It does not concern the passage of persons, which remains open, albeit with
some long-standing restrictions.
While I have great respect for the
Lithuanian government's determination, I see the measure as a serious mistake.
And I do not agree with Borrell's and others' defence of it. The sanctions
adopted by the EU do include a clear reference to the transit of goods. But
what is happening in the Suwalki corridor - the 65 km long strip of land
linking Kaliningrad with Belarus and then the rest of Russia - is different
from the transit of goods for import or export reasons. The sanctions clearly
concern Russia's foreign trade. In the case in question, it is a matter of
allowing movement between two parts of the same country. The issue should
therefore be seen as a matter for the Russian domestic economy and thus outside
the restrictions imposed by Brussels.
Moreover, all this has a very delicate
political connotation. This opens up a new front for direct confrontation
between the EU and Russia. It is particularly dangerous and distracts us from
the fundamental, urgent, priority concern, which is to focus all our energies
on supporting Ukraine and its legitimate defence efforts. It is dangerous
because it gives Russia an easy pretext to exploit for a very strong offensive
against Lithuania, a member of NATO. However, Lithuania, like its two
neighbours to the north, Latvia and Estonia, is very difficult to defend.
Several strategic exercises, simulated at the highest level of NATO command - I
had the opportunity to participate in some - have repeatedly shown the extreme
fragility of any of these three countries, in the case of a hostile military
intervention coming from the neighbourhood. They are small territories, without
strategic depth, easy to occupy. We have thus opened a conflict at a weak point
in our defence space. This is certainly not an intelligent strategic decision,
let alone a wise one. Moreover, there was no need for it.
At this point it remains to be seen
what kind of retaliation the Kremlin will adopt. But the partial blockade of
Kaliningrad is seen in Moscow as something very serious. And that makes me
quite worried. In all likelihood, Vladimir Putin will respond to this challenge
on the very eve of the NATO summit, due to take place in Madrid from 28 to 30
June.
Borrell should be advised to review his
position on this partial blockade without delay. There must be courage and
common sense in the key countries of the European Union to say, loud and clear,
that the moment demands prudence and a calm understanding of what is
appropriate and a priority. It is clear that Mr Borrell and all the others are
expected to unequivocally condemn Russian policy and the war of aggression
against Ukraine and to speak clearly on the issues of food safety and respect
for the international order. They must demonstrate European firmness, defend
our interests and counteract the disinformation campaigns that Russia is
carrying out in North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. But
always with the concern to be seen as representatives of a Union that wants
peace and respect for the rules of good neighbourliness. And which knows how to
rectify its mistakes.
(Automatic translation of the
opinion piece I published in the Diário de Notícias, the old and prestigious
Lisbon newspaper. Edition dated 24 June 2022)
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