Lithuania moves to ban use of Russian pro-war symbols in public places

By Sumeyye Dilara Dincer

ANKARA (AA) – The Baltic nation of Lithuania on Tuesday moved to prohibit the use of Russian pro-war symbols in public places.

Amid Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine, now nearly two months old, Lithuania’s parliament passed a bill prohibiting the public use of the ribbon of St. George – a Russian black and orange military symbol – and the letters V and Z, which have been adopted as pro-war symbols, according to Lithuanian National Radio and Television.

Individual violators of the ban can be fined up to €700 ($756), while institutions can face up to a €1,200 fine.

The bill has not yet been signed by President Gitanas Nauseda.

Lithuania, a former Soviet republic with a population of around 2.8 million, shares a 297-kilometer (185-mile) land and sea border with Russia.

*Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara