Lithuania Moves to Repeal Constitutional Ban on Nuclear Weapons

President Gitanas Nauseda said Lithuania’s senior political leaders have agreed to repeal Article 137, the constitutional ban on weapons of mass destruction and foreign bases. The change needs two-thirds majorities in two Seimas votes; Speaker Juozas Olekas expects a decision by year-end 2026.

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Finland’s recent repeal of its nuclear ban after joining NATO in 2023 set a regional precedent. Lithuania, bordering Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, has tripled defence spending since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, is reinforcing its frontier and preparing a German brigade for permanent basing in 2027.

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Key officials include President Gitanas Nauseda, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, security analyst Linas Kojala of Vilnius’s Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, and Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas.

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The amendment must pass two Seimas votes, each with a two-thirds majority. Lawmakers say there is no plan to host nuclear weapons now, and Lithuania will stay a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Nauseda pushes to lift the nuclear veto in Lithuania

Lithuania joins NATO’s Freedom Shield 26 drill near Pabrade, fielding about 2,900 troops from eight allies, including the German Air Force. Unnamed sources say the United States is discussing new nuclear-capable deployments, with interest from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and interest in hosting U.S. dual-capable aircraft.

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Removing Article 137 would lift the only legal barrier among NATO members to station allied nuclear weapons in Lithuania, bolstering collective deterrence against Russia and addressing concerns that the Baltic state could become a weak link.

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President Nauseda described the constitution as outdated and argued the amendment provides needed flexibility while reaffirming Lithuania’s commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and noting no immediate nuclear deployment plans. Defence Minister Kaunas warned that Russia poses a threat to Europe and called for NATO to act pre-emptively. Security analyst Kojala said a broad consensus holds the ban no longer matches current deterrence requirements.

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Defence Minister Kaunas reported recent Russian drone incursions and hybrid-war tactics targeting Baltic-Sea infrastructure, calling them “provocations” that will be a focus at the NATO summit in Ankara.

Lithuania studies lifting the veto on nuclear weapons

Sources disagree on whether the amendment will be approved by the end of 2026; U.S. nuclear-capable deployment talks remain unverified, and no public opposition from Lithuanian parties or NGOs has been recorded.

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"The geopolitical situation is getting worse. Our constitution was written when geopolitical circumstances were totally different." — Gitanas Nauseda, President of Lithuania

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"Lithuania is practically the only NATO country that has imposed this prohibition on itself." — Gitanas Nauseda, President of Lithuania

Nauseda pushes to lift the nuclear veto in Lithuania

"Russia represents a threat to Europe." — Robertas Kaunas, Minister of Defense of Lithuania

Lithuania studies lifting the veto on nuclear weapons

"We have reached the conclusion that now is the time for both the Seimas and the Speaker of the Seimas to demonstrate the necessary leadership." — Gitanas Nauseda, President of Lithuania

Nauseda pushes to lift the nuclear veto in Lithuania

At the NATO summit in Ankara next week, alliance leaders will discuss the Russian provocations and the broader Baltic security environment.

Lithuania studies lifting the veto on nuclear weapons