Lithuanian president grants citizenship to dozens of people born in Russia and Belarus amid tightening restrictions

On August 21, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda issued 30 decrees granting citizenship to 276 individuals and restoring it for ten others who had previously lost it. Among those, 78 were born in Russia and 32 in Belarus. A total of 286 people received citizenship, with 158 women and 128 men, and a median age of 41. The youngest applicant was three years old, while the oldest was 82, including 15 minors.

These people received citizenship either through naturalization (151), family ties (60), or a simplified procedure based on Lithuanian origin (65), including 18 born in Russia and three in Belarus. Two Russians regained their previously lost Lithuanian citizenship. This move comes amid Lithuania's tightening migration policy in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which imposes strict visa and e-residency restrictions on Russian and Belarusian citizens.

In 2025, Lithuania deemed 1,721 citizens of Russia and Belarus a threat to national security, resulting in denial or revocation of residence permits. In March, conservative lawmakers proposed suspending new temporary residence permit applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested additional sanctions, including restrictions on real estate purchases.

The review of citizenship applications from these countries was initially suspended but has since resumed under additional vetting procedures to assess national interests.