Lithuania Wants to Restrict Entry for Proponents of War from Russia and Belarus — LRT
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed expanding national sanctions against citizens of Russia and Belarus. Among the initiatives are restrictions on the purchase of real estate near strategic facilities and a travel ban on cultural, educational, and sports figures who support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
According to the Ministry’s proposals, Russian and Belarusian citizens planning to visit Lithuania to participate in educational, cultural, or sporting events must sign a special declaration.
In the document, they must condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, reaffirm their support for the UN Charter, and recognize Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The declaration must be made public, and refusal to sign it will constitute grounds for a travel ban.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the new rules are necessary to more clearly regulate the participation of representatives from Russia and Belarus in the country’s public life—particularly in the fields of education, science, culture, sports, the arts, and entertainment.
“Public activities in the fields of culture or entertainment should not be used for propaganda, the distortion of history, or the creation of narratives aimed at influencing Lithuanian society,” the ministry stated.
In addition, Lithuania plans to ban entry for individuals who support policies that threaten the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The restrictions may also apply to those involved in supporting repression against civil society or democratic forces in Russia and Belarus.
A separate provision in the proposals concerns real estate. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to restrict the right of Russian and Belarusian citizens who hold residence permits in the country to purchase property near strategically important facilities or military training grounds.
The ministry emphasized that the new rules are intended to create a unified and transparent decision-making system based on clear criteria.
If the amendments are approved, they could take effect on January 1 of next year.
This was reported on July 26 by the Lithuanian media outlet LRT.
As a reminder, Lithuania has launched an investigation into a Lithuanian citizen suspected of collaborating with Russian intelligence. According to the investigation, the man may have been gathering information about military facilities, equipment, and troop movements and passing it on to individuals linked to Russia.
Latvia plans to remove road signs pointing toward Russia and Belarus.
