Lithuania to Prohibit Travel to Russia and Belarus for Individuals with Access to Classified Information

On Friday, Lithuania's National Security Commission endorsed a legislative initiative to ban travel to Russia and Belarus for individuals who have access to classified information. This announcement was made by Vilmantas Vitkauskas, the head of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center, as reported by LRT.

This travel restriction for those with access to classified information in Lithuania will extend to Russia, Belarus, and other countries deemed a threat to Lithuania's national security.

"The list of countries will be prepared by the Department of State Security in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," stated Vitkauskas.

To implement this ban, changes are planned to be introduced to the "Law on State and Official Secrets," which is being developed by Lithuania's Ministry of Defense. This prohibition may affect approximately 56,000 Lithuanian citizens.

"This law will include a prohibition on travel for our citizens who have clearance to work with classified information to protect both them and state secrets," emphasized the head of Lithuania's crisis management center.

The government commission also approved an indicator system for assessing threats and making decisions regarding border control.

"The system consists of several components, mainly related to military risks, but also pertaining to information attacks, border incidents, and illegal migration flows," explained Vitkauskas.

Previously, Lithuania's Department of State Security warned of the danger of traveling to Belarus due to the active espionage activities of the country, which attempts to engage Lithuanian citizens in cooperation. Belarusian special services, in particular, intensified their activities at the border, interrogating Lithuanian citizens at border crossings and attempting to coerce them into cooperation through blackmail and psychological pressure.

Lithuania has also increased its scrutiny and checks on individuals entering from Belarus and Russia. Border guards now meticulously examine documents and visas of individuals transiting through the country.

It's worth noting that Lithuania was among the first countries to heed the recommendations of the European Commission and prohibit the entry of vehicles with Russian registration into its territory.