The EU is moving toward a compromise with Lithuania to lift the blockade on trade through the country to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. This comes amid reports that the Kremlin has advanced anti-ship missiles off the Kaliningrad coast.
Naval News reported that anti-ship missile systems are deployed to the Mys Taran headland, a prominent landmark mid-way along the exclave's short coastline.
Two missile systems - the 3 K 60 Bal System and K - 300 P Bastion-P - have been deployed together in Kaliningrad. Each Bal system has up to eight Kh-35 missiles, resembling Ukraine's Neptune system Bastion-P has land-attack cruise missile capability, and is considered a serious threat to any surface vessel.
The report said that Bastion-P missiles can reach the Swedish coast on the other side of the Baltics.
According to defense analyst Benjamin Pittet, Russia is using it more than ever as a means of pressure on the West. He was quoted by Naval News after the deployment of Kinzhal ballistic missiles a few days before the invasion of Ukraine. Pittet said that the current deployment could influence Lithuania which is implementing sanctions.
The trade toward Kaliningrad could return to normal within a few days, as European officials are discussing exempting the territory from sanctions. Sources familiar with the matter said the deal could materialize in early July if EU member Lithuania drops its reservations.
Lithuania locked the movement of goods to Kaliningrad from June 17 and said it was upholding EU sanctions. Kaliningrad, which relies on railways and roads through Lithuania for most goods, has been cut off from Russia. This has angered Russia, which warned Lithuania of the consequences.
The report said that the issue of Kaliningrad was testing Europe's resolve to enforce sanctions on Russia and there are concerns of escalation after the restrictions resulted in Russia defaulting on its debt.
It's become increasingly difficult for the EU to stand by strict sanctions and avoid further escalation with Russia. The report said that Germany and the EU have the backing of this to seek a compromise.
One person who has direct knowledge of the EU talks has to face reality, according to a person quoted by Reuters. He said that Putin has more power than we have, and that he referred to Kaliningrad as sacred for Moscow. The EU compromise deal could claim that the trade between Russia and Kaliningrad is exempt from sanctions because the exclave is part of Russia. The Union could also request an exemption for Kaliningrad, which is sandwiched between Lithuania, Poland and the Baltic Sea.