the decision paid off – a total of 220 persons from Russia were not allowed into Lithuania
“This decision worked because it was very timely, before the widespread mobilization was announced. And it worked, We are seeing decreased traffic. This means that tourists know about it and do not choose to go. It seems to me that this is a clear message”, said A. Bilotaitė of the Seimas to journalists.
According to her, about 1,300 Russian citizens enter Lithuania per day, and according to the latest data, 220 persons have already been denied entry since the decision came into force.
“If in Lithuania there are 1,300 per day, in Estonia about 1,700 people who are walking pass by. The difference is that Estonians do not have transit. And the number of persons denied entry – today the latest statistics are that 220 persons were denied entry in Lithuania, and apparently 260 persons in Estonia”, said the minister.
According to A. Bilotaitė, most of them are truck drivers and Russian citizens traveling to the Kaliningrad region in transit.
“45 percent are truck drivers and 45 percent are truck drivers. are in transit. We have a very clear Government resolution, which states which persons are excluded. There are specified exceptions according to which persons are not admitted”, added A. Bilotaitė.
ELTA reminds that, taking into account the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the resulting threats to the countries’ national security, Lithuania together with Latvia, Estonia and Poland decided to tighten the entry control of Russian citizens.
In accordance with the resolution of the Seimas “On the introduction of a state of emergency” and the criteria approved by the Government, from 2022 September 19 Russian citizens entering the territory of the Republic of Lithuania through all border control points during the state of emergency will be subject to an individual, intensified inspection.
During the inspection, the aim will be to make sure that Russian citizens meet the Government’s approval criteria and that they do not pose a threat to Lithuania’s national security, public order, internal security, public health or international relations, as provided for in the Schengen Borders Code.
The Government’s resolution confirmed that only Russian citizens and their family members will be admitted to Lithuania through the Schengen external border for special humanitarian reasons, extradition of crew members and crew members of international transports, Russian diplomats transiting through Lithuania, persons in EU countries, as well as residence permits, as well long-term national visa of the Schengen states or simplified transit document for Russian citizens.