Lithuanian president vetoes citizenship restrictions for Russians, Belarusians

April 14, BPN. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has vetoed a bill outlining citizenship and visa restrictions for Russians and Belarusians over Russia’s war in Ukraine, his press office reports.

On April 4, the Lithuanian Seimas approved the bill, which would codify the existing restrictions for Belarusians without expanding them. It would allow Lithuania to stop accepting Schengen visa applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals, except when authorized by the Lithuanian foreign ministry.

Russians would be temporarily banned from applying for temporary residence permits and purchasing real estate in Lithuania but Belarusians and Belarusian-owned companies would be exempt from these provisions, if the legislation were adopted as it stands.

Seventy-six MPs voted in favor of the bill, with 13 votes against and 34 abstentions.

Reports said that Nausėda might veto it because it exempts Belarusians from some restrictions.

Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja and Lithuanian Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė agreed on April 5 to set up a working group to help Belarusians in Lithuania.

The Seimas needs at least 71 of 141 votes to override the veto.