The Director of Lithuania’s State Security Department (VSD), Darius Jauniškis, has called for increased government funding, citing the agency’s inability to fully meet its responsibilities—particularly in screening immigrants.
Jauniškis warned that this resource gap presents serious risks to national security, including counterintelligence and terrorism threats. He proposed an urgent budget increase of at least €15 million for the upcoming year.
“It is evident that over 200,000 immigrants currently reside in Lithuania, and among them are diverse individuals—possibly even foreign agents. What the State Security Department could accomplish requires proper planning, funding, and addressing issues outside the media spotlight,” Jauniškis stated in a discussion with Prime Minister-designate Gintautas Paluckas.
The VSD has recently raised concerns about a growing influx of migrants from Central Asia. However, the Ministry of the Interior noted a decline in foreign residents from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, reflecting broader regional migration trends.
