Lithuania Moves to Open the Door to NATO Nuclear Weapons as Russia Warns of Escalation
Lithuania has taken a preliminary step toward allowing nuclear weapons to be stationed on its territory, as tensions between NATO and Russia continue to shape Europe’s security landscape.
On October 6, Lithuania’s parliament voted 106–18, with six abstentions, to advance a constitutional amendment that would remove the existing prohibition on weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on Lithuanian territory.
The amendment still requires a second vote, scheduled for January 12, 2027, and must secure at least 94 votes in the 141-seat parliament to pass.
The move could give Lithuania greater flexibility to participate in NATO’s nuclear deterrence arrangements. However, it does not mean that nuclear weapons will automatically be deployed in the country, and Lithuanian leaders have said there are no immediate plans to host them.
Russia has warned that the potential deployment of NATO nuclear weapons or a permanent foreign military base in Lithuania would further escalate tensions and said Moscow would take measures to protect its national security.
Lithuania’s strategic position adds to the significance of the decision. The NATO member borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, placing it close to areas central to Russia’s military posture in the Baltic region.
The proposed constitutional change comes as European countries reassess their security policies amid Russia’s war against Ukraine and growing debate over the future of NATO’s deterrence strategy.