Baltic leaders call on the EU to block the transit of Russian and Belarusian grain

The leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have called on the European Union to block the transit through European infrastructure of grain originating from Russia and Belarus, as well as agricultural products stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories. The request was conveyed in a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, his Latvian counterpart Andris Kulbergs and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda accuse Russia of deliberately attacking Ukrainian ports, civilian vessels, railways and trade routes, while attempting to preserve its access to international markets and increase its revenues. The three leaders argue that the EU must not become a channel through which Moscow can avoid the economic consequences of its aggression.

Russian drone and missile attacks have affected Ukraine’s agricultural exports by sea, while Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure have prompted Moscow to seek alternative routes for its own shipments.

Estonia banned the transit of Russian and Belarusian grain on October 1. Latvia banned imports and authorized transit fees to be increased by up to 300%, but the national railway operator warns that the measure could violate international law. Lithuania is checking the origin of grain passing through its ports and is considering new controls for shipments from Russia and Belarus.