7 Sep 2022 15:33

Lithuania's decision to restrict entry for Russians will not apply to passenger rail transit to Kaliningrad region - authorities

KALININGRAD. Sept 7 (Interfax) - The decision of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to restrict entry to these countries for Russian citizens who have Schengen visas will not apply to passengers traveling to and from the Kaliningrad region by rail, the Kaliningrad region governor's spokesperson Dmitry Lyskov told Interfax on Wednesday.

"The Baltic countries' decision to shut themselves from Russian citizens is extremely strange. Lithuania is once again trying to restrict Russians' travel to its territory. But they [restrictions] will not affect passenger railway transit which links the Kaliningrad region to the rest of Russia. This transit is regulated by more serious agreements between the Russian Federation and the EU," Lyskov said.

Truck drivers, diplomats and people traveling to the Kaliningrad region for family or humanitarian reasons are exempt from the Baltic countries' decision, he said. As a result, the decision applies only to Russians who travel as tourists or for other purposes.

"There will probably be clarification from Lithuania regarding transit across its territory by Kaliningrad region residents with simplified travel documents. As it is known, they are not visas and permit its holders to cross the country within a 24-hour period," Lyskov said.

The Latvian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Baltic countries "agreed in principle" to restrict the movement of Russian citizens. Holders of Schengen visas will not be able to cross the land borders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia with Russia and Belarus.