Lithuania is open to hosting NATO nuclear weapons if deemed necessary, according to Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. In a statement, Šakalienė emphasized the importance of evaluating potential changes to Article 137 of Lithuania’s Constitution, which currently prohibits the presence of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on Lithuanian soil. She noted, however, that no formal proposals for deploying nuclear weapons in the country have been made thus far.
“The possibility of amending Article 137 should be considered if our allies propose real plans for deploying nuclear weapons or their components in Lithuania, along with reviewing other obligations,” Šakalienė told the Lithuanian news portal Delfi.
The remarks come amidst growing security concerns in the region, particularly in light of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and its nuclear rhetoric. Poland has also recently called for the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons on its territory, reflecting broader calls among Eastern European NATO members for enhanced defense measures.
While no official proposals have yet been presented, Lithuania has acknowledged the evolving nature of its national defense strategy in response to changing geopolitical dynamics. The potential hosting of NATO nuclear weapons is viewed as a measure to bolster the country’s security, particularly in the context of an unpredictable Russian neighbor.
The deployment of nuclear weapons in the Baltic region would represent a significant shift in NATO’s deterrence strategy, which has historically relied on the presence of strategic nuclear weapons in countries such as Germany, Italy, and Türkiye. Placing nuclear weapons closer to Russia’s borders could potentially alter the region’s security dynamics.
Lithuanian Defense Minister: Ready to Host NATO’s Nuclear WeaponsMoscow may view such a move as provocative, potentially leading to military countermeasures or further escalation. This would also complicate NATO’s already tense relations with Russia, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader arms race.
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