News

On 25^th of June, Lithuanian Parliament approved amendments to the Law on the imposition of restrictive measures in view of military aggression against Ukraine (hereinafter – the Law), which provides a legal basis for the imposition of national sanctions against Russia and Belarus in the event that the restrictive measures imposed on the countries in question at the level of the European Union cease to apply, or are lifted partially or fully.

"With the Parliament’s decision, Lithuania gains an essential tool to stop Russia's war machine, should the destructive policies of one or more EU Member States cause the EU sanctions regime against Russia start to fall in. We are actively working to ensure that the EU sectoral sanctions against Russia, which are due to expire next month, are extended, but at the same time we have to be prepared for other scenarios, including the need to urgently take national measures in cooperation with our regional partners, if the failure to take the appropriate decisions in Brussels so requires," said Kęstutis Budrys, Head of the Lithuania’s diplomacy.

The introduction of this legal basis in the national law is a necessary safeguard to allow national restrictive measures to be introduced and applied in the absence of restrictions at EU level to limit Russia's access to goods and technologies that are critical for Russia to increase its arms and ammunition stockpile, including through the rebuilding of its military capabilities.

The Law will allow the Government to impose two types of sanctions: asset freezes and sectoral (export/import) restrictions on goods, services, technologies. Accordingly, there are five criteria for sanctioning individuals, three for export and two for import restrictions. The Government will decide on the list of natural and legal persons, organizations, groups of natural and/or legal persons to be subject to restrictive measures based on the criteria laid down in the Law. The Government will also approve the list of goods, technology, and services that will be subject to export or import restrictions.

It is notable that the freezing of funds and prohibition to make economic resources available to natural and (or) legal persons, as well as export and/or import restrictions on goods, technologies and services, will not apply if they are already subject to the European Union restrictive measures.

It should be noted that Lithuania's strategic regional partners Estonia and Latvia already have a legal basis for national restrictive measures (individual and sectoral), and Poland is also considering introducing such a legal basis in its national legislation.

On 17 April 2024, the Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on the imposition of restrictive measures in view of military aggression against Ukraine, which provide for an extension of the national sanctions currently imposed on Russian and Belarusian nationals until 2 May 2026.