Moscow blocks the path to the EU

Article reported that Russia was applying more and more pressure on its former satellites in the autumn of 2013 to join its proposed Eurasian Union. Lithuania, the EU Presidency country and host of a Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November 2013, was coming under increasing powerful pressure from Russia.

EurActiv reported that Russia suspended imports of dairy products from neighbouring Lithuania on the 7 October 2013, adding more pressure ahead of the Vilnius Summit in November 2013.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: Lithuania seeks EU support on Russia border clampdown http://www.europeansources.info/record/lithuania-seeks-eu-support-on-russia-border-clampdown/

EU: EEAS: Features: 2013: The EU meets Eastern Partnership foreign ministers ahead of November summit http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2013/170513_eastern_partnership_en.htm

Lithuania: EU Presidency: Events: The third Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius http://www.eu2013.lt/en/vilnius-summit

Blog: AEGEE Europe, 16.09.13: Concerns about the Russian movements before the Vilnius Summit http://aegee.blogactiv.eu/2013/09/16/concerns-russian-movements-vilnius-summit/

ESO: Background information: Ukraine approves EU deal despite Russian objections http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-approves-eu-deal-despite-russian-objections/

ESO: Background information: European Union to open fully its market to Moldovan wines http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-union-to-open-fully-its-market-to-moldovan-wines/

ESO: Background Information: Speech: Statement on the pressure exercised by Russia on countries of the Eastern Partnership http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-statement-on-the-pressure-exercised-by-russia-on-countries-of-the-eastern-partnership/

ESO: Background information: Armenia to join Russia trade bloc, surprises EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/armenia-to-join-russia-trade-bloc-surprises-eu/

Veidas, 07.10.13: Why Ukraine is steering towards Europe (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/4207851-why-ukraine-steering-towards-europe

ESO: Background Information: Lithuania: EU Presidency, July-December 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/lithuania-eu-presidency-july-december-2013/

EurActiv, 07.10.13: Russia takes aim at Lithuania's dairy imports ahead of Vilnius summit http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/russia-takes-aim-lithuania-wake-news-530910

BBC News, 07.10.13: Russia halts Lithuania dairy imports in trade row http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24433418

European Parliament: Press Release, 21.10.13: Supporting the EU's eastern neighbours in the face of Russian trade threats http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131018IPR22647/

RIA Novosti, 28.10.13: Russia Sets Terms for Lifting Lithuanian Dairy Goods Ban http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131028/184386883/Russia-Sets-Terms-for-Lifting-Lithuanian-Dairy-Goods-Ban.html

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