Lithuania Moves Closer to NATO’s Nuclear Deterrence Facing what it describes as repeated threats and an increasingly aggressive Russian military posture, Lithuania has voted to lift its legal ban on nuclear weapons on its territory. The move would allow Lithuania to participate more fully in NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework and potentially give allied forces greater […]

Lithuania Moves Closer to NATO’s Nuclear Deterrence

Facing what it describes as repeated threats and an increasingly aggressive Russian military posture, Lithuania has voted to lift its legal ban on nuclear weapons on its territory.

The move would allow Lithuania to participate more fully in NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework and potentially give allied forces greater legal flexibility to deploy or transit nuclear weapons through the country during a major crisis.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the previous restrictions could have limited allies, including the United States, from deploying or moving tactical nuclear weapons through Lithuania if the security situation in the Baltic region deteriorated.

The decision comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly following Russia’s deployment of nuclear-capable systems and tactical nuclear weapons to neighboring Belarus.

However, the Lithuanian government stressed that no immediate deployment or storage of nuclear weapons is planned.

The move nevertheless represents a significant shift in Lithuania’s defense policy and underscores growing concern among NATO’s eastern members over Russia’s nuclear posture.