Lithuanian MPs give preliminary approval to stricter restrictions for Belarusians
April 8, Pozirk. Lithuanian MPs on April 8 gave a preliminary approval to additional restrictions for Belarusian nationals despite objections from Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, LRT reported.
Not every Belarusian who comes to Lithuania wants to harm it, the prime minister argued before the Seimas debate on sanctions extension for Belarusians and Russians. While concerns over national security are legitimate, we cannot treat everyone as a spy, he said.
Lithuania’s Department of State Security has been allocated more funds to catch spies, and it would be unwise to treat the entire nation as such, he added.
The politician supported the government’s proposal to extend the current restrictions until May 2026 without modifying them. Belarusian expats work and invest in Lithuania, Paluckas said, noting that Poland does not apply restrictions to Belarusians.
The bill, as it stands, provides for the revocation of residence permits from Belarusians over frequent trips to Belarus, a measure backed by the Seimas committee on national security and defense.
The proposal was announced last month by MP Laurynas Kasčiūnas, leader of Lithuania’s Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats. The politician argued that Belarusian holders of Lithuanian residence permits who visit their home country at least once every three months without a serious reason should have their resident permit revoked. Moreover, Lithuania would not issue residence permits to Belarusians who do not have a valid visa.
The date of the final vote has not been announced.
Two years ago, the Seimas passed a sanctions bill that suspended the acceptance of applications for national and Schengen visas from Belarusians and Russians without prior vetting by the foreign ministry.
Also read: Seimas committee backs additional restrictions for Belarusians
- Economy, Politics, SecurityŁukašenka offers partnership to Ethiopia, including military-technical cooperationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsEmbassy calls on Poles to leave BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMore companies post losses in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsEuropean Parliament delegation demands freedom for BialackiThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMinsk begins heating public institutionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityDelegation from Russian-occupied Crimea visiting BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsKarić loses another EU sanctions appealThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsSeimas speaker hails Bialacki as stronghold for freedom fightersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus’ Military Academy promotes bloggers forum with pro-Putin singer’s songThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsLatvia adds fees, e-registration for cars crossing from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoordination Council elects former Kalinoŭski volunteer as second deputy speakerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- EconomyEBRD expects Belarus' economic growth to slow down in 2025-2026The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPoland reopens border crossings closed since September 12The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals target 2020 protesters, online contentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViciebsk region prosecutors boast of making dozens of extremist content requestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian strike leader is held at ICE immigration center in USThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusians in Poland face car registration billThe material is available only to POZIRK+