Putin says Russia will 'never agree' to EU plans for Kaliningrad visas

President Vladimir Putin said he will "never agree to the division of the sovereignty of Russia" implied by European Union plans to impose visas on the residents of the country's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad.

"What we hear today is worse than the Cold War because it divides the sovereignty of Russia. We will never agree to the division of the sovereignty of Russia," Putin told a summit of Baltic heads of government in Saint Petersburg.

Kaliningrad, formerly East Prussia, is cut off from the rest of Russia by Poland and Lithuania, who are preparing to introduce a visa requirement for Kaliningrad residents when they join the European Union as expected in 2004.

European prime ministers reiterated today their proposal to inaugurate special cheap and long-term multi-entry visas for Kaliningrad's 1 million residents, allowing them to travel easily to mainland Russia.

However, Putin flatly rejected the plan, calling instead for transit "corridors" providing access to Russia through Poland and Lithuania under a scheme akin to those linking West Berlin to West Germany during the Cold War.

"I am sure this problem can be solved. The easiest solution would be to set up the same system as the one that existed during the 1970s between West Berlin and the rest of Germany," Putin told the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) summit.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder offered partial support to the Russian leader, saying that the European and Poland had to take into account Russian expectations.

He added that the Kaliningrad issue must be solved without creating "a psychological problem for Russia."

The Kaliningrad dispute has been a major stumbling block in relations between Russia and its European partners, with the EU holding firm that its rules cannot allow Russians visa-free travel through EU territory.

Russia fears its million or so nationals living in Kaliningrad, which is half the size of Belgium, will be cut off if a visa regime is applied.

The dispute spoiled last month's Russia-EU summit in Moscow, in which the EU granted Russia market economy status.

Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said during today's talks that Russia wants "a right for Russian citizens (living in Kaliningrad) to cross the borders of states that are set to join the European Union."

Russian goods passing through Poland should also enjoy free transit, he said.