The board of the Lithuanian parliament has barred MP Robertas Šarknickas, representing the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, from travelling to Ukraine to serve in the local defence forces.
"A member of the Seimas is a public official. The participation of an MP [...] in actions of an unclear nature raises serious doubts because we are a NATO country and it can be interpreted in different ways," Social Democrat Julius Sabauskas, a vice-speaker of the Seimas, said during the board’s meeting.
The LVŽS member of parliament expressed his regret over the decision and pointed out that the Latvian parliament had sent a member to defend Ukraine.
Šarknickas said he was due to volunteer with the local defence forces of a village in Ukraine where he has spent multiple summer holidays.
Earlier this month, three members of the ruling conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, Paulius Saudargas, Laurynas Kasčiūnas and Justinas Urbanavičius, visited western Ukraine on March 11 and were in Kyiv on March 21-22.
Under the current rules, working trips of MPs are approved by the board of the Seimas. Permission is also needed for personal trips during a parliamentary session.
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