Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda vetoed a law passed by the Seimas last week on national sanctions against citizens of Russia and Belarus, informs press service of the office of the head of state.
Nauseda invites the deputies of the Seimas of Lithuania to adhere to a single position and equalize the restrictions applied to both Russians and Belarusians. In total, there are seven restrictions in the law adopted by the Lithuanian parliament, four of which apply to citizens of both countries, and three only to citizens of the Russian Federation.
The President of Lithuania notes that “there are no grounds for establishing different legal regulations for the citizens of the two aggressor states.”
“Lithuania is well aware that the war against Ukraine, which Russia is waging for the second year together with its ally Belarus, has brought the two aggressors so close together that they both pose a threat not only to their neighbors, the region, but to the whole of Europe as a single militarized, hate-filled territorial education,” emphasizes Nauseda.
He also proposed to introduce a new legal mechanism into the law adopted by the Seimas, which would simplify the procedure for the annulment of national visas and permits for temporary or permanent residence already issued to Russians and Belarusians, as well as facilitate the deportation from Lithuania of persons who violated laws on international or national sanctions.
SEE ALSO: The Seimas of Lithuania approved mitigated sanctions against Russians and Belarusians: they will be allowed to purchase real estate and receive citizenship of the country
The law on sanctions against Russians and Belarusians adopted by the Seimas of Lithuania tightens the procedure for issuing permits to Russians and Belarusians for permanent or temporary residence in Lithuania, the procedure for issuing visas to them, introduces a ban on the movement of Russian citizens across the external border of the European Union.
The law also establishes restrictions related to the procedure for obtaining citizenship. During the year, a stricter procedure will be in effect, providing for exceptions for exiles, their descendants, as well as Russian citizens who have a residence permit in Lithuania and who can acquire Lithuanian citizenship through naturalization. Those Russians whose applications for citizenship have already been accepted by the relevant authorities will be able to obtain a Lithuanian passport.
