Public figures from Russia and Belarus to face entry ban in Lithuania without anti-war declaration

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has proposed new national sanctions requiring certain Russian and Belarusian citizens to publicly condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in order to enter the country for public activities.

According to reports from Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT (citing the Baltic News Service/BNS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (URM) seeks to amend the Law on Restrictive Measures Regarding Military Aggression Against Ukraine. The changes would apply primarily to cultural, entertainment, sports, education, science, arts, and related public figures.

The ministry stated that recent discussions, including at the municipal level, highlighted the need for clearer rules on the participation of representatives from Russia (which is carrying out aggression against Ukraine) and Belarus (which supports it) in Lithuanian public life. “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 draft, Russian and Belarusian individuals and organisations would be denied entry to take part in such public activities if they have operated in Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories, directly or indirectly support the war, have participated in it, pursue policies undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity/sovereignty/independence, support human rights abuses or repression in Russia/Belarus, or pose a threat to democracy or the rule of law.

A key element is a required public declaration: Russian and Belarusian nationals seeking to enter Lithuania for educational, cultural, or sporting events would have to sign a document condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and affirming support for the UN Charter and Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and internationally recognised borders. The declaration would be made public; refusal would result in denial of entry.

Citizens not falling under the restrictive criteria could still participate as neutral individuals who do not represent their states of citizenship. Event organisers in Lithuania would be responsible for compliance.

The proposal also tightens property rules: Russian and Belarusian citizens holding Lithuanian residence permits would be barred from buying real estate near national security facilities or military training grounds (with additional limits for some Belarusian citizens and entities). Broader property restrictions on Russians already exist.

The Foreign Ministry has proposed that the amendments take effect on 1 January 2027 if approved. Similar ideas had previously been raised by the opposition but required government initiative for national sanctions legislation. Lithuania’s existing restrictive measures law, in force since 2023, aims to support Ukraine and limit certain rights of citizens from states Lithuania regards as aggressors. The country has already denied entry to some performers linked to support for the Russian government or activities in occupied territories.

These details come primarily from LRT and BNS reporting on the ministry’s comments, with consistent coverage in outlets such as Kyiv Post. The measures remain a government proposal pending further legislative process.

A legitimate concern

The proposed Lithuanian requirement makes the declaration public. Under current Russian law, publicly condemning the war (officially called the “special military operation”), calling it aggression, or affirming Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders can be treated as “discrediting the armed forces” or spreading false information about the military. These offenses carry fines or prison sentences, and Russian authorities actively monitor public statements, social media, and media appearances. Belarus has comparable repression against criticism of the regime or its support for Russia’s actions.

Signing such a document and then returning home could therefore create real exposure: documentation of the statement becomes available evidence, and regimes in both countries have shown willingness to pursue people for lesser public criticism. The risk is higher for higher-profile artists, athletes, academics, or anyone whose name appears in open sources.

Caption: A view of the Vilnius airport [Vilnius Airport website]