KALININGRAD (Sputnik) — Moscow's relations with the West, including Lithuania, deteriorated in 2014 over the Ukrainian crisis, when the European Union along with the United States as well as several other countries imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia, accusing it of meddling in Ukrainian internal affairs. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.
"The relations have stalled, [they are] in a low condition. Over the past year, the [bilateral] trade turnover fell by 40 percent," the ambassador told journalists on Saturday, adding that political contacts have also been suspended.
The population, however, is seeking the restoration of contacts and discussions with regard to practical issues, especially in the Kaliningrad Region and other border areas, the ambassador said.
According to Governor of Kaliningrad Region Nikolay Tsukanov, the communication between youth, students and cultural contacts is still in place, but the task of the local authorities is to intensify economic cooperation.
