The Lithuanian Parliament decided to extend the state of emergency until December 16 in connection with the events in Ukraine and closed entry to the country for Russian citizens. It is reported by RBC.
The state of emergency will no longer be in force throughout the country, as it is now, but only on the border with Russia and Belarus and at checkpoints located outside the territory of the border section, i.e. at Vilnius and Kaunas airports, at the Vilnius railway station. It involves strengthening the protection of the state border, checking vehicles and luggage in the border areas. In addition, the acceptance of applications for visas from citizens of Russia and Belarus is suspended, Russians will not be allowed into the country.
The Lithuanian authorities first declared a state of emergency on February 24, after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since then, this regime has been extended, the last time until September 15.
On September 9, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia agreed to significantly restrict the movement of Russian citizens with Schengen visas across their land borders. This was stated by Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevich.
However, countries have provided exceptions for humanitarian reasons, as well as for those who enter for family reasons or medical orders, for diplomats and truck drivers. Decisions will be made by national governments in accordance with national procedures and will enter into force simultaneously as soon as possible.
Earlier, the EU supported a complete halt to the visa facilitation agreement for Russians from 12 September. According to the European Commission, Russian citizens will face longer and more expensive procedures for obtaining visas to the EU, and it will also become more difficult to obtain multiple visas. However, "students, journalists, dissidents and representatives of civil society" of Russia will be provided with more favorable conditions for issuing visas. At the same time, the EU countries will be able to refuse visas to citizens of the Russian Federation who may "threaten the security of these countries and the EU."
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, some EU countries have stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens: the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have joined the restrictions. Denmark and the Netherlands have stopped issuing short-stay visas. Finland announced that from September 1, it will reduce the issuance of tourist visas to Russians by ten times. German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock proposed to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia. She clarified that it is important not to take away the opportunity to leave the Russian Federation from those who “have the courage to oppose the regime.” According to her, it can be not only oppositionists and well-known journalists, but also students.
