“Not a Guest House for Putin Worshippers”: Lithuania Bans Pro-Putin Rapper Morgenshtern for a Decade

Lithuania has banned Russian rapper Morgenshtern from entering the country for 10 years, citing national security concerns, Kyiv Independent reported on November 13.

The artist, whose real name is Alisher Valeyev, had been scheduled to perform in Vilnius later this month.

When talking with Kyiv Independent, Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas welcomed the government’s decision, saying the capital is “not a guest house for Putin worshippers.” He noted it would have been Morgenshtern’s third concert in Vilnius since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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“Previously, appeals were made to the awareness and responsibility of event organizers, but it changed nothing,” Benkunskas said. “Finally, Lithuania said ‘stop’ to this.”

Lithuania’s Migration Department confirmed that the ban “takes effect immediately” but gave no further details

Though Morgenshtern was labeled a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities in 2022, he has often praised Vladimir Putin and avoided condemning the invasion of Ukraine. In past interviews, he refused to recognize Crimea as part of Ukraine and said he “respects how the world fears Putin,” Kyiv Independent wrote.

The decision coincides with the European Union’s move to tighten visa rules for Russian citizens amid growing concerns over hybrid threats, including cyberattacks and sabotage across member states.

Previously, it was reported that Head of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects at Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development stated that European Union member states could move toward a full suspension of Schengen visa issuance for Russian citizens, following recent restrictions on multiple-entry visas.

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