Lithuania is moving to impose new restrictions on Russian and Belarusian citizens who support the regimes in Moscow and Minsk, potentially barring them from work in education, culture, science, sports and entertainment, and limiting real estate purchases near military areas and state security facilities.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has drafted the proposal as an amendment to laws responding to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Euronews reported on Aug. 1. The initiative follows damage to the Lithuanian embassy in Kyiv during Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital on the same day.
“Russia’s campaign of terror against Ukraine continues without limits. There is no sign of any genuine willingness to stop it, to seek peace or to engage in negotiations. The Kremlin’s objective remains the same: destruction, death and intimidation. The response is clear: increase pressure on Russia through stronger sanctions and step up support for Ukraine,” Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys wrote on X.
The restrictions would target individuals and entities from Russia and Belarus who have supported the war, operated in occupied territories, endorsed repression, or refused to condemn the invasion. They would be prohibited from participating in public activities in specific fields, a step the ministry says is designed to stop those sectors from being used for propaganda and influence, and to strengthen societal resilience against disinformation.
On real estate, Russian citizens without permanent or temporary residence permits would be barred from buying property, while even permit holders could not acquire land near national security or military sites. The same limits would apply to Belarusian citizens. The government says the measures are meant to minimize risks related to intelligence gathering and hostile activity near sensitive areas.
Lithuania would follow regional precedent. Estonia prohibits non-European Economic Area citizens, except British citizens, from purchasing property in certain areas. Latvia’s parliament approved a nationwide ban on real estate purchases by citizens of Russia and Belarus, including linked companies, in June 2025. Finland introduced a comparable law on July 15, 2025, barring transactions with Russian and Belarusian entities that pose a national security threat.
The Lithuanian proposal still needs parliamentary approval and the signature of President Gitanas Nauseda. If passed, it would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
Sources: European Interest, Euronews
Author: Ukraine Desk
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