Lithuania moves to bar Russian and Belarusian war-supporters from public activity

Lithuania's government approved amendments on Wednesday to the country's national sanctions law that would bar Russian and Belarusian citizens, as well as representatives of organizations from those countries, from entering Lithuania to carry out public activities in education, science, culture, sport, art or entertainment, if they are found to have acted in occupied Ukrainian territories or to have directly or indirectly supported the war against Ukraine.

The amendments were drafted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An exception is planned for people who, in those territories, clearly acted against the aggression, occupation or annexation, publicly voiced disagreement with such actions, and whose conduct did not objectively serve the interests of the occupying power.

Broader restrictions

The entry ban would also apply to people whose actions or policies threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, stability or security, as well as to those who directly or indirectly support serious human rights violations or repression against civil society and democratic forces in Russia and Belarus, or whose activity threatens democracy and the rule of law.

Under the bill, anyone wishing to come to Lithuania to conduct such public activity would have to sign a public declaration condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine and expressing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. Refusal to sign would bar the person from carrying out the activity in the country.

If approved by the Seimas, the amendments would take effect next year. Lithuania's national sanctions law has been in force since 2023, aiming to show support for Ukraine while limiting certain rights of Russian and Belarusian citizens. Lithuania has previously made individual decisions to ban entry for several artists who support Vladimir Putin's regime and have performed in Russia or Crimea.