Survey responses cause headaches, lead to cancellation of residence permits – Last Minute World News
Lithuanian Migration Administration Revokes Residence Permits of Russian Citizens Based on National Security Threats
In a significant move, the Lithuanian Migration Administration has taken actions against Russian citizens residing in the country. According to the Polish News Agency (PAP), the Lithuanian Migration Service has issued questionnaires to assess potential national security risks posed by Russians living in Lithuania.
The questionnaires reportedly comprised inquiries regarding the ownership of Crimea and the individuals’ stance on the Ukraine-Russia War. This step was taken to evaluate the respondents’ views and potential implications that could arise from their opinions.
Startlingly, the responses given by some Russian citizens led to the revocation of their residence permits. Last year, 38 Russian nationals faced this consequence, and this year, the number rose to 97. The Lithuanian Immigration Administration justified these decisions based on the answers provided in the questionnaires.
The government agency also highlighted a significant surge in the number of Russian citizens applying for a residence permit. In 2022, with the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia War, the figure doubled compared to the previous year, reaching an astounding 4,000 applications.
In a parallel development, the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) unanimously approved a resolution on March 21, urging other nations to label Russia as a “terrorist state.” The resolution further recommended the establishment of a special international criminal court to hold Russia accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide committed in Ukraine.
The Lithuanian Parliament took an even stronger stance in May 2022 when it officially declared Russia a terrorist country and recognized its actions in Ukraine as genocide. This declaration underscores Lithuania’s unwavering condemnation of Russia’s actions and seeks to rally international support against these acts.
These recent developments reflect Lithuania’s proactive approach to safeguard its national security and address the implications associated with the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The Lithuanian Migration Administration’s decision to revoke residence permits based on individuals’ responses to the questionnaires sends a clear message about the country’s commitment to identifying potential threats and taking appropriate action.
As tensions persist, it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to these measures. Meanwhile, Lithuania continues to garner international attention for its strong stand against Russia and its efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
