Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has proposed expanding national sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens, including new restrictions on property purchases near strategic sites and entry bans for individuals who support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The proposed amendments would bar Russian and Belarusian cultural, entertainment and sports figures from working in Lithuania if they support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have participated in the war or contribute to “Kremlin propaganda” through their activities, the ministry said.
“As a democratic state, Lithuania has a duty to protect its public space from regimes that systematically violate human rights, wage aggression against neighbouring states and use culture and entertainment as instruments of soft power,” the ministry said.
Under the proposed amendments to Lithuania's Law on Restrictive Measures Regarding Military Aggression Against Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian individuals and organisations would be denied entry to participate in public activities in education, science, culture, sports, the arts and entertainment if they have operated in Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories or directly or indirectly support the war.
The restrictions would also apply to individuals who pursue policies or take actions undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, as well as those who support human rights abuses or repression against civil society and democratic movements in Russia and Belarus.
