Lithuania will not grant asylum to Russians simply because they are being mobilised for the war against Ukraine, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Saturday.
Landsbergis, who is also the leader of the ruling conservative party, the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats,
“Lithuania will not be granting asylum to those who are simply running from responsibility. Russians should stay and fight. Against Putin,” Landsbergis tweeted.
Lithuania will not be granting asylum to those who are simply running from responsibility. Russians should stay and fight. Against Putin.
— Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹 (@GLandsbergis) September 23, 2022
Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced last Wednesday a partial mobilisation in the country. He said the call-up is for reservists, primarily those with experience. Russia expects to mobilise around 300,000 soldiers.
With the partial mobilisation in Russia, the Lithuanian Council for the Defence of the State (CDS) will discuss on Monday further support to Ukraine as it continues to resist Moscow's invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday urged Russians to resist the partial mobilisation announced by Vladimir Putin, which has already sparked protests and a new wave of departures.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said last week that the military call-up will not be enough for Russians avoiding mobilisation to get asylum in Lithuania.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Igrida Šimonytė also said that it was not “Lithuania’s duty, nor that of other neighbouring countries, to save all Russian citizens from the mobilisation”.
Last week, Lithuania, along with the other Baltic countries and Poland, closed its borders to Russian citizens with tourist visas from other Schengen area countries.
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