In an interview published on Friday, the president stated that the pressure was due to the fact that "not everyone is happy" with the movement of post-Soviet countries toward Europe. In Grybauskaitė's words, the issues will be discussed during the Yalta conference in Ukraine on Friday.
"We will discuss more than just Ukraine, also Moldova and Armenia and its problems, as well as Georgia and the pressure all of the countries are subjected to in the run-up to the Vilnius summit, including Lithuania; unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the European integration and the democratic progression of these countries towards Europe. We have to endure such features of political, economic and energy pressure," Grybauskaitė said.
A week ago, Russia tightened customs checks on Lithuanian cargo, causing extensive losses to trade and haulage companies.
On Thursday, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said that Russia's actions are politically motivated.
Some observers say that the pressure on the Moscow side can be related to the Eastern Partnership summit scheduled to take place in Vilnius in November. The meeting is expected to result in the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association and Free Trade Agreement and initialing of similar agreements with Georgia and Moldova.
Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia have also reported pressure from Russia over the past few months.
"The Vilnius summit may become the largest new breakthrough in the European relations with Eastern partners, a breakthrough and a major impetus on the path they have chosen towards the EU," Grybauskaitė said in the interview.
