Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has vetoed a bill that imposes additional restrictions on citizens of Russia and Belarus due to the war in Ukraine. This was reported by the press service of the office of the head of state.
The reason for the veto was that the bill contains more restrictions for Russians than for citizens of Belarus. In total, there are seven restrictions in the law adopted by the Lithuanian parliament, four of which apply to citizens of both countries, and three only to citizens of Russia. The politician proposed to apply the same restrictions for representatives of both states.
“Lithuania is well aware that the war against Ukraine, which Russia is waging for the second year together with its ally Belarus, has brought the two aggressors so close together that they both pose a threat not only to their neighbors, the region, but to the whole of Europe <…> ; From the point of view of national security, Lithuania has no grounds for imposing various restrictions on citizens of Belarus and Russia,” Nausėda said.
The President also proposed amendments to the draft law that would facilitate the procedure for canceling already issued visas and residence permits and simplify mechanism for deportation from Lithuania in case of violation of national or international laws.
On April 4, the Seimas of Lithuania approved in the second reading a bill on restrictions for Russians and Belarusians. The innovations imply restrictions for Russians to purchase real estate without a temporary or permanent residence permit and tighten the procedure for issuing residence permit and permanent residence documents to citizens of both countries.
The bill also establishes additional checks in the case when Russian citizens enter Lithuania across the external border of the European Union. In addition, Russians were banned from applying for a temporary residence permit in Lithuania through an external service provider abroad, while this option was left for Belarusian citizens. There are also no restrictions on the purchase of real estate in the law.
The version of the law that was adopted in the first reading also provided that Russians and Belarusians would not be able to apply for Lithuanian citizenship. This provision was excluded from the final document. The purchase of real estate with a residence permit and permanent residence was also not provided.
After the start of the war in Ukraine, the Seimas called Russia's actions a genocide, and Russia itself a «country carrying out terrorism.» In September last year, the Lithuanian authorities decided not to allow Russians with Schengen visas to cross the border.