Russia ends Lithuanian goods border ban

VILNIUS - Russia has ended tight border checks on Lithuanian goods coming over its borders, reports Bloomberg. It follows after Russia imposed trade restrictions on Lithuanian dairy products on Oct. 7, citing quality concerns. European officials said the move was a potential violation of World Trade Organization rules.

However, it appears Russia has ended the ban after Putin ordered Russia’s Federal Customs Service to end the special controls and return to normal border procedures. It said customs violations by the Lithuanians had diminished.

Prime Minister of Lithuania Algirdas Butkevicius said the November Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, at which Ukraine and Moldova are believed to sign major association agreements with the European Union, may have been the reason behind the original bans.

Lithuanian dairy companies halted shipments to Russia after the trade suspension was announced on Oct. 7.