Lithuania extends sanctions on Russia and Belarus, bans fuel imports in large containers

The Lithuanian parliament on Thursday extended sanctions against Russia and Belarus and approved a ban on importing fuel from these countries in standard vehicle containers exceeding 200 litres, LRT reports.

In the final vote, 95 lawmakers supported the amendment to the Law on Restrictive Measures for Military Aggression Against Ukraine, with one opposing and six abstaining. The ban aims to prevent potential violations of EU sanctions and cut off indirect support to the regimes in Moscow and Minsk.

The legislation also empowers the government to freeze assets and economic resources, as well as impose sectoral restrictions, if EU-level sanctions against Russia or Belarus are partially or fully lifted. The amendments take effect on May 3 and remain valid until December 31, 2027. The government may propose extensions but must do so at least three months before the deadline.

Social Democrat Ruslanas Baranovas backed the extension, arguing that Russia’s economy is visibly weakening, presenting an opportunity to deliver a decisive blow. “Recent months have shown reports and studies on how rapidly Russia’s economy is deteriorating. It seems the moment has come to increase pressure, as there is a real chance to finally cripple Russia’s economy and thus help Ukraine win the war,” he said.

Meanwhile, opposition MP Valius Ąžuolas criticised the two-year extension—rather than one—as a continuation of the 2020–2024 liberal-conservative coalition’s foreign policy. “The liberal-conservatives are delighted that this ruling majority is continuing their foreign policy with double the force—sanctions not for one year, but almost two,” he remarked.

The law also incorporates a proposal by MP Mindaugas Lingė, requiring the government to draft legislation by October 1, 2026, restricting Belarusian individuals and entities from acquiring real estate in Lithuania, particularly near strategically important sites or military ranges. A national security review mechanism for such transactions will be introduced, alongside possible exemptions.

Conservative MP Žygimantas Pavilionis welcomed the compromise, stating, “Thank you for finding unity on this issue.”

The original law was first adopted in April 2023.