Parliamentarians supported removing the mass destruction clause from the fundamental law
The Seimas of Lithuania has supported in the first reading a constitutional amendment allowing the deployment of weapons of mass destruction within the country. A total of 106 deputies voted for the initiative, with the final decision expected on January 12, 2026. This was reported by LRT citing BNS, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The document adopted by parliamentarians provides for amendments to Article 137 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. It currently contains an imperative ban on the basing of foreign military installations and the deployment of weapons of mass destruction. It is expected that after the final vote, these restrictions will be completely removed from the fundamental law.
Procedure and political support
For the final decision to be adopted, the initiative must be supported by at least 94 out of 141 deputies, and a three-month break must occur between the first and second votes. Speaker of Parliament Juozas Olekas announced that the procedure is planned to be completed on January 12 of next year. In his view, this move will help the country achieve equal legal standing with other NATO and EU member states, thereby strengthening defensive capabilities.
Opposition conservative leader Laurynas Kasciunas emphasized that current legislative restrictions hinder Lithuania’s full participation in the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence plans. Without corresponding changes, the country cannot host allied aviation or vessels capable of carrying strategic weaponry. A similar position is held by Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas, who called this decision a necessary response to threats from Moscow.
Kremlin reaction and internal discussions
The head of the defence ministry emphasized that aggression from russia and Lithuania’s strategic encirclement in the Kaliningrad region and Belarus require the authorities to provide the military with all available defensive tools. The minister is convinced that without the start of the war in Ukraine, such discussions would not be taking place, but the current security situation dictates its own rules.
Critical remarks were also heard in parliament, particularly from representatives of the Nemunas Dawn party, some of whom opposed the initiative. Parliamentarian Aidas Gedvilas stated that such an important issue requires a referendum rather than a decision by the deputy corps alone. Meanwhile, media reports have already emerged regarding the United States’ interest in deploying nuclear assets in European countries, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Lithuanian territory would become a target for russian strikes if this plan is implemented.
Illustrative photo: Alma Pater / CC BY-SA 3.0
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