von der Leyen states EU plans to closely watch Russian trains

(MENAFN) The European Union plans to step up surveillance of trains moving between mainland Russia and its Kaliningrad exclave via Lithuania, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Speaking alongside Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at a press event on Monday, von der Leyen described Lithuania as a “frontline state” confronting “Russia in Kaliningrad” and accused Moscow of exerting “geopolitical and economic pressure” on its neighbor.

Lithuania borders Belarus to the east, a key Russian ally, and Kaliningrad to the west. Von der Leyen highlighted that “Lithuania has a €357 million ($446.25). EU program that is dedicated for border management and visa policy,” adding that “we have on a regular basis added money to it.”

EU funds have been allocated to strengthen “surveillance capacities [for] tracking the trains… [traveling] between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad” and to finance the “purchase of a helicopter.”

Von der Leyen also noted that Brussels plans to “triple investment in migration and border management” in the next multi-year EU budget and raise military expenditure fivefold.

In July, the Commission presented a €2 trillion ($2.33 trillion) draft budget for 2028-34, which includes a significant rise in defense spending. EU member states have agreed to dedicate €800 billion ($937 billion) by 2030 under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.

Rail transit between Kaliningrad and the rest of Russia passes through Lithuania. Following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Vilnius temporarily blocked goods subject to EU sanctions, prompting Moscow to accuse Lithuania of imposing a blockade. The rail link was later restored.

Moscow has dismissed Western warnings of potential aggression toward EU nations as “nonsense,” accusing Brussels officials of exaggerating threats to justify higher military budgets.

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