Lithuania bans Russians from purchasing real estate

Border fence between Lithuania and Russia is pictured at the Suwalki Gap area, the land corridor on the shared border between Lithuania, Poland and Russia flanked by Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad to the Northwest and its ally Belarus to the Southeast, the strip of land that runs for only 104 kilometres (65 miles) is the sole land connection between the Baltic states and NATO's European members. The Suwalki Gap is considered vulnerable as an invasion would cut off the Baltics from the rest of the alliance, at the triple border near Bolcie, Poland, October 17, 2022. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

Lithuania's parliament decided on Tuesday to ban Russian nationals from purchasing real estate in the Baltic country, citing risks to national security.

The ban, which will be in place until 2024, would not apply to Russians who are granted residency in the country.

Parliament also halted the issuing of new visas to nationals of Russia and its ally Belarus.

Many of the citizens of those two countries who carry other travel documents, such as previously issued visas, will be subject to "individual extended checks" at the border to determine if they pose a threat to national security.

"The vast majority of Russian citizens support their country's aggressive military actions, and do not take actions to stop the aggression of their country's regime, so they share the responsibility," Deputy Foreign Minister Jurgita Neliupsiene told parliament in March as she introduced the bill.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Terje Solsvik)