US 'Stands' by Lithuania against Russia’s Threats

The US confirmed on Tuesday that it “stands” by Lithuania, the NATO member after Russia warned its neighbor over restrictions on some goods to Moscow’s territory of Kaliningrad.

“Specifically our commitment to NATO’s Article Five — the premise that an attack on one would constitute an attack on all — that commitment on the part of the United States is ironclad,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters.

“We stand by our NATO allies and we stand by Lithuania,” price said.

He noted that the United States welcomed the “unprecedented economic measures” taken by Lithuania against Russia over its invasion.

Price added that Washington has strengthened its commitment to NATO, and reinforced the eastern flank of the alliance, especially the countries that face the most Russian threats.

On Tuesday, Russia warned Lithuania of "serious" consequences after it banned the rail transfer of some goods to the Russian territory of Kaliningrad, due to the EU sanctions.

Senior security official Nikolai Patrushev highlighted that Russia "will certainly respond to such hostile actions."

Lithuania explained that it is only following the EU sanctions imposed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Kaliningrad is a strategic region where Russia's Baltic Fleet is headquartered and has no border with mainland Russia.