Russia Bans Lithuania Dairy Imports as Tensions Flare

Russia banned dairy imports from Lithuania due to what it said were safety concerns, adding to a month of trade disruptions that the Baltic nation says are politically motivated.

The European Union last month urged Russia to stop targeting Lithuania, which currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, with “punitive” trade restrictions. Lithuania’s leaders, including Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, say the curbs are probably Russia’s way of protesting plans to strengthen EU trade ties with Ukraine and other ex-Soviet countries at a November summit in the Lithuanian capital.