Lithuania scolds Russia for discrimination

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VILNIUS, Lithuania, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Lithuania is urging Moscow to stop discriminating against Lithuanian truckers whose vehicles are stuck at border crossings.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas sent a letter to the European Commission seeking equal treatment for all European Union truckers, the Baltic Times said Thursday.

Usackas called on the Russian ambassador in Vilnius, demanding an explanation for tightened Russian customs inspections at two crossings on the Latvian-Russian border.

Lithuania does not share a border with Russia, and autos and trucks have to drive north to Latvia to cross into Russia.

In the past 24 hours, 128 Lithuanian trucks were permitted to enter Russia while 630 cargo vehicles were made to wait in miles-long lines at the Terehov border crossing, Latvian customs said.

Some 230 other trucks are blocked at the Grebnev crossing where 98 trucks have entered Russia in since Wednesday, the Times said.