Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - Lithuania has moved closer to removing its constitutional ban on nuclear weapons after parliament voted overwhelmingly to advance an amendment that would allow weapons of mass destruction and foreign military infrastructure on its territory.
The Seimas backed the measure 106–18, with six abstentions, marking a significant shift in Lithuania’s security policy as concerns over Russia continue to shape NATO’s defence posture in the Baltic region.
The decision is not an immediate approval to deploy nuclear weapons. Lithuania must hold a second vote after a constitutionally required three-month period, with at least 94 of the 141 lawmakers needed for final approval.
The vote is currently expected on January 12, while Lithuanian officials argue that removing the restriction would allow the country to participate more fully in NATO’s deterrence arrangements and bring its legal framework closer to that of neighbouring allies.
The move is already raising the stakes with Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that placing nuclear weapons or expanding US and NATO military infrastructure in Lithuania would increase regional tensions and said Russia would take measures to protect its security.
With Lithuania bordering Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus, the coming parliamentary vote could become a major test of Europe’s evolving defence strategy—and a closely watched signal of how far NATO members are prepared to strengthen deterrence.
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