Lithuanian minister says he won't seek EU funding for Rail Baltica link to Vilnius

Lithuania’s Transport Minister, Eugenijus Sabutis said he will not seek European Union funding for the planned extension of the high-speed Rail Baltica railway section to Vilnius, citing a lack of readiness from the EU to finance this part of the project.

The national budget also lacks the necessary funds to build European-gauge railway between Kaunas and Vilnius, the minister told TV3 News on Thursday.

Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, sits on the main Rail Baltica route, while Vilnius is currently connected via a conventional rail line. Sabutis argued that the existing infrastructure is sufficient for now.

“Replacing it with a European-gauge line will definitely be necessary sooner or later, but probably not sooner,” said Sabutis.