Bilotaitė on Liubajevas's resignation: 'This is not a responsible decision'

Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite has described the resignation of Rustamas Liubajevas, the head of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), as "not a responsible decision" amid ongoing security concerns. Bilotaite noted that changes within VSAT were anticipated following the initiation of an official investigation into the situation.

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Looking at the security situation overall, I think this is not a responsible decision. Of course, much will depend on who the next person is who takes up the position of VSAT head.

"Looking at the security situation overall, I think this is not a responsible decision," Bilotaite stated, emphasizing that much will depend on Liubajevas's successor. She highlighted the high daily risk of hybrid threats and stressed that any changes within the national security apparatus must be carefully considered and made responsibly.

The resignation comes after media reports surfaced detailing an incident in late July where migrants allegedly attempted to pull a Lithuanian border guard into Belarus. News portal "Lrytas" reported that during a scuffle, one officer was injured, and another was nearly dragged across the border. Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas had previously indicated that if these reports were confirmed, he would see no possibility for VSAT chief R. Liubajevas to continue in his post.

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The security situation, the probability of various hybrid threats is very high every day, so changes must be very well-weighed. Any changes must be made very responsibly, because these are matters of our state's national security.

On Monday afternoon, Katelynas announced Liubajevas's decision to step down. "Today afternoon, General Rustamas Liubajevas personally informed me that, having assessed all circumstances and not wishing to harm the reputation and prestige of VSAT, he decided to step down from the position of VSAT chief," Katelynas said at a press conference.

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Today afternoon, General Rustamas Liubajevas personally informed me that, having assessed all circumstances and not wishing to harm the reputation and prestige of VSAT, he decided to step down from the position of VSAT chief.