Vilnius will require public declarations condemning Russian aggression from visiting Russian and Belarusian cultural and academic figures. Refusal would bar them from entry under new sanctions.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed to amend the national sanctions law with new restrictions against Russians and Belarusians. In particular, those who support the war against Ukraine may be barred from entering the country.
Under the proposed amendments, Russians and Belarusians who work in the fields of culture, science, arts, or sport will not be admitted to the country if they have performed in the occupied territories of Ukraine or directly or indirectly supported the war.
To obtain permission to enter for participation in educational or cultural events in Lithuania, citizens of these countries will have to sign and publicly disclose a declaration condemning Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Refusal to sign will mean an automatic entry ban, according to the ministry.
In addition, the Lithuanian MFA proposes to suspend the right of Russians and Belarusians who hold a residence permit from buying real estate near objects of national security and military training grounds.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Changes
Russian and Belarusian citizens who have performed in the occupied territories of Ukraine or directly or indirectly supported the war will not be admitted to the country in the fields of culture, science, arts, and sport.
To participate in Lithuanian educational or cultural events, it is necessary to publicly attest to condemnation of Russian aggression and support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity through a declaration. Refusal will mean an automatic ban on entry.
To suspend the right of holders of residence permits to purchase real estate near objects of national security and military training grounds.
Provided the Seimas passes the bill, the changes will take effect on January 1 of the following year.
The planned restrictions are intended to create a clear, transparent, and uniform legal framework for all, so decisions in such cases are made on the basis of objective criteria, and are not evaluated each time individually. This is part of broader state efforts aimed at strengthening resilience to the influence of hostile regimes and protecting Lithuania’s national security interests
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania