Lithuania backs curbs on pro-war Russian and Belarusian activities

Lithuania’s government has backed proposed restrictions on activities in the country by Russians and Belarusians who support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, LRT reported. The amendments to the Law on Restrictive Measures must still be approved by parliament.

The proposal would bar Russian and Belarusian individuals, companies and representatives of organisations from entering Lithuania to take part in public activities in education, research and higher education, culture, sport, arts and entertainment if they have carried out such activities in Russian-annexed or temporarily occupied parts of Ukraine, or have directly or indirectly supported or participated in the war.

The restrictions would not apply to people who clearly opposed the aggression, occupation or annexation, publicly expressed their opposition and did not objectively help advance the occupying authorities’ interests. The proposal would also target those whose actions or policies undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence, stability or security, as well as those who support serious human rights abuses or repression in Russia or Belarus, or whose activities threaten democracy or the rule of law.

People seeking to carry out the activities would have to sign a publicly available declaration condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Refusing to sign would prevent them from working in Lithuania. If none of the grounds for restrictions were established, Russian and Belarusian representatives could participate only as neutral individuals, not representing their country of citizenship.

The amendments would also restrict property purchases near objects considered important for national security and military training grounds. Russian and Belarusian citizens with Lithuanian residence permits would lose the right to buy property in those areas. Belarusian citizens without residence permits, and legal entities belonging to them, would also be barred from purchasing property there. The restrictions would not apply to property acquired through inheritance. Russia’s ability to buy property in Lithuania has already been restricted.

If parliament approves the amendments, they would take effect on January 1, 2027. Existing contracts for public activities would have to be reviewed and revised by February 28, 2027. Lithuania has applied restrictive measures since 2023; until now, it has made individual decisions to bar several performers who supported Vladimir Putin’s regime or had performed in Russia or Crimea.