Pakruojis Manor, a tourist site in Lithuania, is no longer accepting visitors with Russian citizenship, as reported by Lithuanian public media LRT
«Russian citizens in one way or another are connected to the Russian regime, so they are not welcome and we would like them to know that,» says Giedrius Klimkevičius, manager of the manor house.
«We also don’t want their money, which is stained with Ukrainian blood.»
Klimkevičius said that it is known to everyone as information is published on Manor’s website. «If the Russians still come, the receptionist can ask for ID at the entrance if she has any suspicions,» he added. Meanwhile, Russian citizens with a residence permit in Lithuania are welcome.
The initiative comes amid discussions in the EU on whether to ban Russian tourists from the bloc.
Lithuania has already stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens.
According to Vilnius officials, the ban is intended to make Russian society feel the effects of the country’s war against Ukraine.
Economy and Innovation Vincas Jurgutis supports the initative to ban Russian tourists, as well as Pakruojis Manor’s decision is supported by Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Vincas Jurgutis.
Jurgutis told LRT RADIO that some of the tourists already have long–term visa, or they or they come on humanitarian grounds, or through other European Union countries, which continue to issue visas to Russians.
Evalda Šiškauskienė, president of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, says the organisation has discussed whether to ban Russian tourists.
«I don’t think we will make such decisions ourselves in the association, but we will support the decision of other business owners not to admit Russian nationals,» says Šiškauskienė
According to her, the members of the association do not find the ban necessary, as very few Russian citizens are now coming to Lithuania.