Kaliningrad rail ban in line with EU sanctions: Lithuania

Lithuania said Monday its ban on rail transit for EU-sanctioned goods through Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad was in line with European sanctions, after Moscow slammed the move and vowed a response.

"It's not Lithuania doing anything -- it's European sanctions that started working from the 17th of June," Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told journalists in Luxembourg.

Clients had been informed of the blockage, which currently concerns the rail transport of steel products "and other goods made from iron ore", he said.

"It is done with consultation with the European Commission's and under the European Commission guidelines."

Moscow earlier slammed the move, vowing to "take actions" if necessary.

"If in the near future cargo transit between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of the territory of the Russian Federation through Lithuania is not restored in full, then Russia reserves the right to take actions to protect its national interests," Russia's foreign ministry said.