Lithuania bans citizens of Russia, Belarus, China from joining armed forces

Lithuania's parliament has approved new amendments that prevent individuals with Russian, Belarusian, or Chinese citizenship from joining the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The decision, made on December 19, bars citizens of these countries from professional military service, voluntary military service, and compulsory military duties, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lithuanian media.

It also extends to other temporary voluntary military roles. Any current member of the armed forces who acquires citizenship from Russia, Belarus, or China will be dismissed.

The new restrictions also apply to the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, a voluntary paramilitary organization.

Earlier this year, Lithuania introduced a ban on members of its professional military from travelling to nations deemed a threat to its national security, including Russia, Belarus, and China, during off-duty periods.

In November, it was reported that 11 dual Lithuanian-Russian or Lithuanian-Belarusian citizens were serving in the armed forces.

The relevant amendments to the law were drafted and registered in November 2024 by the Lithuanian Minister of Defense and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense.

At the time, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas noted that this ban was necessary to prevent the leakage of information related to national defence through persons with dual citizenship.

He also added that due to possible ties with “hostile states,” such servicemen could, on their own initiative, carry out destructive activities against Lithuania’s national defence.

By Aghakazim Guliyev