Lithuanian parliament backs lifting constitutional ban on nuclear weapons
Lithuania’s parliament has backed a constitutional amendment that would remove the country’s ban on nuclear weapons, clearing its first major legislative hurdle as Vilnius seeks greater flexibility to participate in NATO’s nuclear deterrence plans.
The amendment passed its first reading on Oct. 6 by 106 votes to 18, with six lawmakers abstaining, Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reported.
Constitutional amendments require support from at least 94 of Lithuania’s 141 lawmakers in two votes separated by at least three months. Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas said the final vote is expected on Jan. 12.
Article 137 of Lithuania’s Constitution currently prohibits weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on the country’s territory. The proposed amendment would remove the provision entirely.
Olekas said eliminating the restriction would strengthen Lithuania’s resilience and deterrence and remove legal differences between the country and other EU and NATO members.
Laurynas Kasčiūnas, leader of the opposition Homeland Union, said the current rules prevent Lithuania from fully participating in NATO’s nuclear deterrence plans because allied aircraft or ships carrying nuclear weapons cannot enter Lithuanian territory.
Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said the proposed change was a response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and the presence of Russian and Belarusian strategic weapons near Lithuania.
“If Russia had not started the war in Ukraine, we probably would not be having the discussions we are having today,” Kaunas said.
The amendment would not itself deploy nuclear weapons in Lithuania, but would remove the constitutional prohibition preventing the country from hosting them in the future.
Finland removed similar restrictions earlier this year, allowing nuclear weapons to be imported, transported and stored on its territory. France has also proposed expanding European nuclear deterrence arrangements, while the Financial Times reported in June that the United States was considering deploying nuclear weapons in additional NATO countries in Europe.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the Lithuanian vote a step toward “escalating tensions” and threatened unspecified countermeasures.
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