Key facts
- Lithuania's political leaders have agreed to remove a constitutional ban on nuclear weapons and foreign military bases.
- President Gitanas Nauseda stated the constitutional provision is outdated due to the current geopolitical situation.
- The move aims to allow Lithuania to be a full and equal member of NATO, potentially hosting nuclear weapons.
- Finland recently lifted its own ban on nuclear weapons, prompting threats from Russia.
- The decision will proceed to a parliamentary vote or referendum.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced on July 2 that political party leaders have reached a "practically unanimous" agreement to remove a constitutional provision that bans nuclear weapons and foreign military bases. Nauseda stated that Article 137 of the constitution has become obsolete and should be removed, not merely amended, reflecting the changed geopolitical landscape since its writing 35 years ago.
Speaking after a meeting with parliamentary faction leaders, Nausėda indicated that the legislature would soon move to amend the legislation. Lithuania, a strong supporter of Ukraine and a NATO member since 2004, has previously expressed interest in hosting U.S. nuclear weapons as a deterrent against Russia. The Financial Times has reported discussions between the U.S. and countries on NATO's eastern flank regarding the potential deployment of nuclear warheads. Currently, U.S. nuclear weapons are stored in several European countries, including the U.K., Germany, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, and the Netherlands. While Lithuania's move provides future flexibility, President Nausėda clarified that there are no immediate plans to store nuclear weapons on its soil.
Lithuania is spending 4% of its GDP on defense in 2025, second only to Poland, according to NATO's yearly expenditure report. The Baltic country also hosts a NATO multinational battlegroup, at the center of which is the permanent presence of up to 5,000 German soldiers. However, Lithuania sits in a nuclear neighborhood, with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus both hosting nuclear-capable weapons.
Finland recently voted to lift its long-time ban on nuclear weapons, allowing the country to receive, transport, and facilitate the movement of nuclear arms on its territory as part of allied defence. The new measure took effect on Wednesday. The news caused anger and threats in Russia, with first deputy chair of the Russian State Duma Defence Committee Aleksey Zhuravlyov accusing Finland of becoming "a second Ukraine" and openly threatening that Moscow has the military might to destroy half the country.