Lithuania has taken the first step toward lifting the ban on nuclear weapons

The Lithuanian Seimas approved, in the first reading, amendments to the Constitution that would remove the provision prohibiting the deployment of weapons of mass destruction. 106 lawmakers voted in favor of the amendment, but another vote is required for its final adoption.

 

Eighteen members of parliament voted against the initiative, and six more abstained.

The second, final vote cannot take place for at least three months. The amendment must again be supported by at least 94 of the 141 members of the Seimas. Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas stated that the vote is scheduled for January 12, 2027.

According to Olekas, removing the ban from the Constitution should strengthen Lithuania’s resilience and deterrence.

“Removing this provision will mean that we secure the strongest possible support. By eliminating the legal peculiarities that Lithuania had compared to other EU and NATO countries, we will be on equal footing,” he explained.

Currently, Article 137 of the Lithuanian Constitution stipulates that weapons of mass destruction and military bases of foreign states may not be located on the country’s territory. The amendment calls for the removal of this provision.

Consideration of the relevant bill was added to the agenda of the Seimas session on October 6. The bill seeks to declare Article 137 of the Constitution null and void.

Source: LRT

Earlier, Lithuania described Russia’s new threats regarding Kaliningrad as psychological pressure.

Lithuania and Poland are preparing to evacuate their populations in the event of an attack by Russia.

Lithuania has prepared an evacuation plan for Vilnius in the event of war.