MOSCOW, March 7 People's Artist of the Russian Federation, ballerina Ilze Liepa, commenting on reports of the deprivation of Lithuanian citizenship, said that she had already made her moral choice and remained with her country, Russia, and its president.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda deprived Ilze Liepa of the country's citizenship, ELTA reported earlier on Thursday, citing the president's press secretary.
«It seems to me that it is no coincidence that this decision was made right now, during the election campaign of our Russian president. And this is another recognition that I am with my country and with my president. Of course, I gave a lot to Lithuania, I have there are a lot of relatives, friends, acquaintances there. But the time comes when you need to make a choice, a moral choice. And I confirm that I am with my country and with my president. What else can I say,” Liepa said.
Previously, the Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs ordered the migration department to begin the procedure for depriving Liepa of the Lithuanian citizenship of the ballerina. This decision was made after articles appeared in the Lithuanian media about an interview with Liepa, who condemned the Baltic countries and supported the Kremlin’s policies. Liepa, commenting on the plans of the Lithuanian authorities to deprive her of citizenship, said that she loves Russia and cannot change her position.