Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that if Lithuania allows nuclear weapons on its territory aimed at Russia, it will become a target for Russian nuclear arms. In an interview with Channel 1, Peskov emphasized that this situation was anticipated and would escalate tensions significantly. He remarked, “If you deploy nuclear weapons on your territory, they are directed against someone. It is evident these weapons will not be aimed westward; they will be directed eastward, towards us.”
Peskov’s comments follow Lithuania’s initiative to amend its constitution to remove a ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons, a move aimed at enhancing the country’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, speaking at a press conference in Berlin alongside Baltic leaders and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressed the desire for Lithuania to be an integral part of nuclear deterrence against Russia. He noted, “It is about my country’s goal to utilize all opportunities for nuclear deterrence.”
Furthermore, Nauseda has proposed a constitutional amendment to eliminate the current restrictions on potential nuclear deployments in Lithuania. A group of 50 Lithuanian parliament members has officially submitted this constitutional amendment.
To modify the Constitution, Lithuania’s parliament must approve the amendment twice with a two-thirds majority (94 out of 141 members), with at least three months between votes.
This initiative comes just weeks after Finland’s parliament voted to lift its ban on nuclear weapon deployments, ending its traditional neutrality after joining NATO in 2023. Finland will now be able to bring, transport, provide, or possess nuclear arms as necessary for national defense.
Geopolitical Context of Nuclear Restrictions
The current ban on nuclear weapons in Lithuania’s Constitution is among the strictest of NATO allies and was enacted before the country joined NATO. Linas Kojala, director of the Geopolitical and Security Studies Center in Vilnius, noted that there is broad consensus that such a restriction no longer aligns with the current geopolitical situation, where the nuclear arms of allies are crucial for deterrence. He stated, “It is important to remove obstacles to enhancing deterrence capabilities.”
President Nauseda clarified that there are no immediate plans to store nuclear weapons in Lithuania, but removing this legal barrier would allow the country to respond if security conditions change. Lithuania will continue to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, he added.
In July, the Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas mentioned that the amendments could potentially be adopted by the end of the year.
