The Seimas of Lithuania has adopted in final reading a law extending national restrictions on citizens of Belarus and Russia. A total of 95 lawmakers voted in favour of the extension, one voted against and six abstained, the Lithuanian parliament’s press service said.
The restrictions on citizens of Belarus and Russia have been extended until December 31, 2027. The bill was adopted in the version prepared by the Foreign Ministry. It does not предусматривает changes to the existing restrictions but introduces a ban on bringing more than 200 litres of fuel in vehicle tanks.
“This will help prevent potential violations of EU sanctions and indirect support for the Russian and Belarusian regimes through the pumping and sale of fuel in Lithuania from standard fuel tanks of trucks registered in third countries and arriving from Russia and Belarus”, the Seimas press service explained.
The existing restrictions include the suspension of applications for Schengen visas, except in cases where the Foreign Ministry mediates on behalf of the applicant. Russian citizens are also barred from applying for temporary residence permits, except for those who already hold such permits. Additional checks are carried out on Russian citizens at the border, and their right to purchase real estate is restricted.
During consideration of the bill to extend the sanctions, proposals were made to equalise the measures for citizens of Belarus and Russia. However, they did not pass the committee stage in the Seimas. At the same time, the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday approved a proposal to ask the government to prepare amendments restricting the right of Russians and Belarusians to purchase real estate in the country. The Lithuanian government has been asked to prepare such a draft by October 1.
