Lithuanians near Kaliningrad put faith in NATO after Russia's threats - Reuters

Direction signs are seen in the border railway station in Kybartai, Lithuania June 21, 2022.

KYBARTAI, Lithuania, June 21 (Reuters) - Russia's threat to punish Lithuania over blocked rail shipments to Moscow's enclave of Kaliningrad jangled nerves on Tuesday for residents living just across the border who put faith in NATO membership to thwart any potential military action.

Insurance worker Vitalijus Sidiskis, 59, said while he believed it was difficult to predict what Russia might do, he would remain calm because of Lithuania's membership in the European Union and NATO.

"Nothing bad will happen...because Lithuania is in NATO and in the European Union," he told Reuters.

Other residents in the border town of nearly 6,000 said the threats from Russia had overshadowed other problems, such as sky-high inflation that has hit the pocketbooks of many Lithuanians.

Ukraine is set to become an official candidate for European Union membership on Thursday in a symbolic but morale-boosting decision following Russia's invasion, ministers and diplomats said on Tuesday.

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