The Lithuanian parliament adopted a special law on national sanctions for Russian and Belarusian citizens in response to the war in Ukraine.
The new law, adopted on Tuesday, includes temporary restrictions for Russians and Belarusians to obtain Lithuanian visas, to import Ukrainian hryvnias, to enter Lithuania and to acquire real estate. Moreover, Lithuania will temporarily refuse to accept residency permit applications from Russians and Belarusians.
The measures will be in place until May 3, 2024.
The initial proposal included a temporary measure not to accept Russian and Belarusian applications for Lithuanian citizenship, but it was dropped during the adoption phase.
The law was adopted with 76 votes in favour, 13 against and 34 abstentions.
The bill was drafted and put before the parliament, Seimas, by the government. It essentially transposes into law already existing restrictions which are currently outlined in the emergency situation resolution.
Under the law, Lithuania will not accept visa applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens, except in cases mediated by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry.
Moreover, Lithuania will not accept applications for temporary residence permits from Russian citizens until mid-April 2024, except in cases mediated by an institution authorised by the Lithuanian government, or for holders of Schengen visas, national visas or holders of residence permit of an EU country.
This restriction will not apply to Belarusian citizens after MP Jonas Jarutis of the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union objected that this would cause difficulties for Lithuanian haulers hiring Belarusian drivers.
The new law also provides for individual checks of Russian citizens crossing the EU’s external border. Each traveller will be screened for potential “threats to national security”.
This will not apply to Russian holders of residence permits or long-stay national visas from the EU, Schengen countries, transiting travellers to and from Kaliningrad, and Russian diplomats.
The law also includes a ban on importing and exporting Ukrainian hryvnias to and from Lithuania by Russian and Belarusian citizens.
Moreover, under the new law, Russian citizens and companies established or controlled by them will not be able to acquire real estate in Lithuania, unless they have a residence permit or have inherited the property.
This ban will not apply to Belarusians.
The law is set to enter into force on May 3 and expire on May 2, 2024.
An adviser to President Gitanas Nausėda said last Sunday that the president could veto the law, if Russian and Belarusian citizens are treated differently. According to Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania’s official position is that both Russia and Belarus are responsible for the war in Ukraine and that their citizens should be subject to equal sanctions.
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