Lithuania to propose EU ban on Russian grain transit and sanctions against agri-oligarchs

Initiative to block logistics routes

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced the intention to present a proposal to the European Union to ban the transit of Russian grain through the bloc's territory. At the same time, he plans to introduce sanctions against specific Russian agricultural oligarchs who support the war in Ukraine.

«РФ використовує європейські порти та інфраструктуру, зокрема країн Балтії, для експорту свого зерна» (The Russian Federation uses European ports and infrastructure, including those of the Baltic states, to export its grain), Sinkevičius wrote. According to him, this situation is unacceptable, so Lithuania will insist on establishing a transit ban and introducing restrictive measures against specific Russian agri-oligarchs.

Criticism of the use of European infrastructure

Currently, the EU does not ban international trade in Russian agricultural and food products, including grain, with third countries. Although the bloc introduced tariffs on grain products from Russia and Belarus in 2024, these measures failed to completely stop their transit through the EU to third countries.

Sinkevičius emphasised that Moscow continues to use EU infrastructure while intensifying attacks on Ukraine — particularly on its ports and grain ships — and exports grain that was likely taken from occupied Ukrainian territories.

«Ми не дозволимо російській військовій машині отримувати прибутки, використовуючи нашу інфраструктуру як шлях до світових ринків» (We will not allow the Russian war machine to make profits by using our infrastructure as a route to world markets), he said.

Strengthening control measures in the Baltic states

Lithuania has already strengthened inspections of grain transported in transit through the country from Russia and Belarus. Since the beginning of September, the State Food and Veterinary Service has taken five samples from two batches of grain of unknown origin; these samples were sent for analysis to foreign laboratories.

Sinkevičius noted that the transit of Russian grain is a common problem for the Baltic states, and Lithuania and Latvia adhere to similar positions. Estonia banned the transit of grain of Russian and Belarusian origin through its territory from 1 October. Latvia also called for closer cooperation between the Baltic states on border control and inspections of Russian grain batches.

This issue has become particularly relevant after Russian grain began to appear in the transport flows of the Baltic states. Lithuanian officials stated that the country's infrastructure should not be used to facilitate the export of Russian grain.