Olekas backs tighter restrictions on Russian and Belarusian activity

Lithuanian parliament speaker Juozas Olekas says proposed measures to further restrict the activities of Russian and Belarusian citizens in Lithuania are needed for national security, LRT reported on Tuesday.

“I think the proposals being put forward are right and should be supported,” Olekas told reporters. He said he continued to believe Russian and Belarusian citizens should be treated differently, and that the additional measures were necessary to make Lithuania safer.

The parliament is due to consider proposals on Tuesday to tighten rules on property purchases and activities by Russians and Belarusians. Amendments prepared by the Foreign Ministry would bar Belarusian citizens without Lithuanian residence permits, and legal entities belonging to them, from buying property near strategically important facilities. Property restrictions on Russian citizens are already in force. The proposed limits would not apply to property acquired through inheritance.

The amendments would also bar individuals and legal entities from entering Lithuania if they engage, or have engaged, in education, cultural, sporting or artistic activities in Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia or temporarily occupied by it, or if they have supported or taken part in the Kremlin’s war. An exception would apply to those who clearly opposed the aggression, occupation or annexation, publicly demonstrated their opposition and did not objectively help advance the occupying authorities’ interests.

The ministry also proposes barring people whose actions or policies undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence, or harm security. Those seeking to come to Lithuania would have to sign a publicly available declaration condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Refusal to sign would prevent them from carrying out activities in the country.

If none of the specified circumstances are established, Russian and Belarusian representatives would be allowed to operate in Lithuania only as neutral participants, not representing their countries of citizenship.

If approved by parliament, amendments to the Law on Restrictive Measures Related to Military Aggression Against Ukraine would take effect on January 1, 2027. Public activity contracts made before then would have to be reviewed and updated by the end of February 2027.

Lithuania has applied the restrictive measures law since 2023. The law aims to demonstrate support for Ukraine and restrict certain rights of citizens of Russia and Belarus. Lithuania has previously made individual decisions to bar several performers who supported Vladimir Putin’s government and had performed in Russia or Crimea.