Entry of Armenian Soldiers into Lithuania to Be Prohibited: Armenia Listed on 'Black List'

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense has included Armenia in the list of countries from which military personnel cannot enter Lithuania. The Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania states that the restriction is based on national security interests.

The changes will take effect in January 2024. Other countries included in the list of non-friendly nations are Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, China, Moldova, and Transnistria.

It has been noted that the ban aligns with the recommendations of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the risks associated with traveling to these areas: “Military personnel will also be unable to travel to countries that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against visiting or recommends leaving immediately.”

It will need to be defined under what circumstances citizens serving in the army may be granted permission to visit these countries.