Russia says EU closes borders for some cargo vehicles registered in Russia, Belarus

(Reuters) – European Union countries sharing borders with Russia and Belarus have barred some cargo vehicles registered in the two countries from entering since Friday due to sanctions, the Russian customs service said on Saturday.

The EU on Friday formally adopted new sanctions against Russia, including bans on the import of coal, wood, chemicals and other products, while also preventing many Russian vessels and trucks from accessing the bloc.

Vehicles used as international transport that have Russian and Belarusian number plates will not be able to move goods on EU territory, the Russian customs service said.

“According to available information, the restrictions do not yet apply to road freight transport delivering pharmaceutical, medical, food and agricultural products, including wheat, as well as the delivery of energy, non-ferrous metals and fertilisers,” the customs service said.

Transit from Russia to Kaliningrad – Russia’s exclave on the Baltic Sea sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania – was still open for vehicles registered in Russia.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Alex Richardson)