Lithuania proposes to extend national sanctions against Russians and Belarusians until 2028

In connection with Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes to extend national sanctions against citizens of Russia and Belarus until 2028, reports LRT.

“We propose to extend the validity of the law and restrictive measures, providing for an extension not for one year, but until December 31, 2027. Such a proposal would not contradict the principle of proportionality and the fact that restrictive measures are temporary and subject to review,” states the explanatory note to the draft.

Until now, the Seimas had extended restrictive measures for citizens of Russia and Belarus for a period of one year. The measures extended last year expire on May 2, 2026.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the extension of the law will provide Lithuania with the opportunity, in connection with Russia’s war against Ukraine, to additionally apply restrictive measures at the national level against aggressor states as a foreign policy tool, in parallel with EU sanctions.

Also, by government decision, it will be possible to freeze funds and economic resources, as well as apply sectoral restrictions if measures established at the EU level concerning Russia or Belarus cease to be valid or are revoked.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not propose to introduce new restrictions.

“The complex of restrictive measures defined by the law is assessed as optimal and balanced; in the face of existing threats, these measures are necessary and expedient, applied exclusively as a reaction to current threats, and their application will not create inconvenience for the residents of Lithuania,” the document states.

During the annual extension of national sanctions, most discussions in parliament arise due to the fact that different restrictive measures are provided for citizens of Russia and Belarus. Some politicians propose to unify them, but the majority of Seimas members decided otherwise.

Key provisions of the law:

• Applications from citizens of Russia and Belarus for both national and Schengen visas are no longer accepted (except in cases mediated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

• Russians are no longer issued residence permits in Lithuania, except in cases where they already have a valid visa or residence permit of an EU country.

• An individual additional detailed check is applied upon entry for citizens of Russia (and with risk assessment for citizens of Belarus).

• Applications for Lithuania’s e-resident status are no longer accepted (except for those who already have a residence permit).

• Russians without a residence permit are prohibited from acquiring real estate.

• The import and export of cash – Ukrainian hryvnias – as well as the import of agricultural products and feed from Russia or Belarus are prohibited.

• Citizens of Russia will lose their temporary residence permit if they travel to Russia or Belarus more than once within the last three calendar months (exceptions apply for carriers and objective reasons).