Moscow does not like Lithuanian milk… A very political blackmail
(BRUSSELS2). " We have full confidence in the safety of Lithuanian products. They respect the European rules which are among the most demanding in the world ". The Commission spokesperson's response to Russia's ban on all imports of Lithuanian dairy products is not ambiguous. " For her, it is not a commercial problem » or a question of hygiene, but of a more general problem. “The European Commission explains in particular” not having been formally informed by the Russian authorities of their concerns ". Which is usually the case when there is a security problem. " We do not know what is blamed on Lithuanian products”.
A very political blackmail
At the Commission, even if we are careful not to accuse Moscow, it seems obvious that the problem is more political than technical. Between Moscow and Vilnius, relations have never been easy. And both the presidency of the European Union by the former Soviet republic and the forthcoming signature of an Eastern partnership with neighboring countries are viewed with suspicion by Moscow. But the European executive does not want to lend the flank to an escalation.
A warning
This blockage thus acts as a warning for Ukrainian or Moldavian leaders seeking to get closer to the European Union. It is clear that Russia could well not be content with blocking a few milk trucks but should continue until November and beyond a strategy of harassment of its neighbors, provocations and pressure in all directions. This is only the beginning... Europe must expect and prepare for the worst!
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde with Leonor Hubaut)
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