Lithuania Will Not Allow Cars with Russian Registration to Enter its Territory

Lithuania will not allow cars with Russian licence plates to enter its territory, except for those in transit to Kaliningrad. This decision is related to the European Commission's clarification of anti-Russian sanctions, which prohibit the import of goods from Russia to the EU, the Lithuanian portal LRT writes.

"At the moment, Russian citizens can cross the border, if they are eligible, either by bus or on foot," said Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Jovita Neliupšienė.

Earlier, Lithuania allowed entry only to cars intended for sale. This decision was aimed at preventing Russian cars from entering the Lithuanian market. Otherwise, Russian cars could have entered the country.

"Anyone crossing the border, whether a Russian citizen or an EU citizen, in a car with Russian licence plates, if they do not have supporting documents that they are going to Kaliningrad in transit, should know that their car will be confiscated," Neliupšienė explained.

The ban on imports from Russia covers a wide range of goods, including cars, cameras, laptops and hundreds of other everyday items. According to European Commission spokesperson Daniel Ferry, the ban is not new, but until now, EU member states have not applied it equally.

According to him, Russians will not be stripped if they come wearing Russian-made clothes, but valuables intended for sale, such as a car, should be treated "more strictly".

"These cars did not have a commodity status. They are registered in Russia, which means that they belong to a person who is registered and lives there. The new clarification makes it clear that if a car is registered in Russia, with Russian licence plates, it cannot enter," said Rolandas Jurgaitis, a spokesman for Lithuanian customs.

Germany, which since the end of June has not only restricted the entry of Russian cars but also confiscated them inside the country, has also requested clarification from the European Commission.

As a reminder, the European Commission's explanation stated that Russian citizens may have their cars, phones, other equipment and valuables confiscated when crossing the border with the European Union.