V. Benkunsko, the mayor of Vilnius, has publicly criticized a band planning to perform in Lithuania after holding concerts in Russia. He underscores that if one is earning income by performing in Russia, they shouldn't expect to perform in Vilnius or Lithuania. His comments are part of a broader discourse on the necessity of erecting protective barriers against the Kremlin’s soft power in the region, akin to the quick response during the hybrid attack from Belarus.

Benkunsko claims that despite presenting a proposal to the Lithuanian Parliament and Government for a legislative amendment aimed at addressing this issue, there has been no action taken yet. He implies that their request is being ignored or dismissed, referring to it as going into 'spam'. The urgency of his comments reflects a growing frustration with the lack of response to the perceived threat from Russian cultural influence, especially following the ongoing geopolitical tensions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As the situation escalates, another band named Nensi, whose guitarist has had no complications performing in Russia post-February 24, 2022, is also set to perform in Vilnius. This raises further concerns regarding foreign artists who have connections to Russia, showing that without firm action, the cultural exchanges may continue contrary to the sentiments of many Lithuanians who oppose Russia's current regime and its activities.