V. Benkunskas, the mayor of Vilnius, has proposed new legislation aimed at restricting entry into Lithuania for artists who have performed in Russia and Belarus. He points to recent instances involving artists like Morgenshtern and Gio Pika, emphasizing a lack of effective mechanisms to safeguard Lithuania's cultural and information space from influencers favorable to the Kremlin. The mayor expresses concern over the current situation where he must monitor ticket sales for events featuring such artists, advocating for a systematic solution to communicate to performers that their activities in these countries could restrict their access to Lithuania.

Benkunsko argues that event organizers are primarily profit-driven, hence the necessity for national legal measures that would prevent the permeation of soft power from hostile nations into Lithuania. He insists that artists who engage with regimes that threaten Lithuania's security should not expect seamless access to the country, underlining a broader intent to protect national cultural integrity against external influences. The proposed changes indicate a movement towards a more proactive legal stance against perceived threats to Lithuania's cultural landscape.

This proposition not only reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly in context with Russia and Belarus, but also highlights Lithuania's broader commitment to safeguarding its cultural identity. The suggested measures serve as a forecast of increasing legislative action to regulate foreign influence in national cultural affairs, indicating a significant shift in how Lithuania approaches cultural engagement with neighboring countries.