VILNIUS, July 13 (Reuters) - European Union member Lithuania will allow sanctioned Russian goods to transit its territory on their way to Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, its Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday (Jul 13), reversing its policy after new European Commission guidelines.

The new guidelines on Wednesday followed weeks of tension among Moscow, Lithuania and the European Union that tested Europe's resolve to enforce sanctions on Russia.

Kaliningrad, which is bordered by EU states and relies on railways and roads through Lithuania for most goods, has had some freight transport from mainland Russia cut off since Jun 17 under sanctions imposed by Brussels.

The sanctions were designed to bar entry into the EU of certain Russian products, such as vodka and steel.

Moscow earlier said restricting overland transit of goods from Russia to Kaliningrad amounted to an illegal blockade; Lithuania said it had no choice but to enforce rules imposed by Brussels.

"This decision, which removes restrictions on a certain range of products transported by rail, is a demonstration of realism and common sense," a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said by email on Wednesday. "Although we still have questions about the contents of this document."

Kaliningrad Governor Anton Alikhanov wrote on Telegram the new guidelines are "only the first step needed" to solve the stand-off: "We will continue to work towards the complete removal of restrictions".