New Delhi: Lithuania’s plan to remove a constitutional restriction on the deployment of nuclear weapons has drawn a sharp response from Moscow, with Russia warning that hosting such arms could make the Baltic country a potential target of its nuclear forces. The proposal comes as Vilnius seeks to strengthen its security posture amid the continuing conflict in Ukraine.
The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the proposed change would represent a serious escalation if it eventually resulted in nuclear weapons being stationed in Lithuania. Reuters, citing Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti, reported that Peskov warned Lithuanian territory could come within the sights of Russia’s nuclear arsenal if weapons deployed there were directed at Russia.
Peskov was responding to Lithuania’s efforts to remove the constitutional ban, which officials have said would give the country greater flexibility in its security and deterrence policy. He said Russia would regard the presence of nuclear weapons aimed at it from Lithuanian territory as a development that would bring the country within the targeting range of Russian nuclear forces.
According to media reports, Lithuania announced earlier this year that it is planning to remove the prohibition from its constitution. The proposal requires a two-thirds majority in parliament and has received backing from president of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, and major political parties.
Nauseda said in July that Lithuania wanted to become an “integral part” of Nato’s nuclear deterrence. His comments came as European countries have reassessed their defence arrangements amid growing security concerns linked to Russia.
As per media reports Lithuanian officials, however, have repeatedly stressed that there are no plans at present to station nuclear weapons in the country. The proposed constitutional change would remove the existing legal barrier rather than amount to a decision to host such weapons.
Lithuania’s position reflects broader concerns among Nato members on the alliance’s eastern flank, particularly as the country borders Belarus and lies close to Russia’s Kaliningrad region. Any move involving the deployment of nuclear weapons would therefore carry wider implications for security across the Baltic region.