Lithuania debates restricting entry for Belarusians over war in Ukraine, migrant crisis

September 19, BPN. Lithuania is currently debating possible tightening of entry controls for Belarusians after banning Russians with Schengen visas from entering the country on September 19, Delfi reported citing Lithuanian Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė.

The official described Belarusian authorities’ involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the use of illegal migrants in hybrid attacks against Lithuania as serious arguments in favor of discussing stricter travel rules for Belarusians.

Lithuania has recently banned entry for Russians with Schengen visas, letting in only diplomats, dissidents, transport companies staff, family members of EU nationals and those with residence permits or long-term national visas issued by member states of the Schengen zone.

Earlier, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland introduced similar travel restrictions targeting Russian nationals.

The Lithuanian State Border Guard Service reported that it turned away 11 Russians in the early hours of September 19. Some of them tried to cross the Belarusian-Lithuanian border.