The Seimas of Lithuania adopted a bill restricting the rights of citizens of Russia and Belarus. According to the BBC, now they will not be able to cross the border of Lithuania, obtain visas and citizenship. In addition, the law “On restrictive measures in connection with military aggression against Ukraine” includes a ban on Russians from obtaining a residence permit or buying real estate in the country; Belarusians were excluded from these points.
The document lists situations in which exceptions can be made.
- The process of obtaining a visa or residence permit is managed by the government.
- A Russian citizen already has a Lithuanian Schengen visa or a residence permit in another EU country.
- The buyer of real estate has a residence permit or permanent residence.
- The property was inherited.
- Those who have the right to obtain it through naturalization, those for whom the process has already begun, exiles and their descendants will be able to obtain citizenship.
- Crossing the border is possible with a humanitarian visa, to visit relatives, on the way to the Kaliningrad region, with diplomatic immunity.
It follows from the explanatory documents to the bill that it is considered as an addition to the international sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus.