Lithuania Moves to Repeal Constitutional Ban on Nuclear Weapons

On 22 September, the Lithuanian Seimas voted 99-13-5 to advance an amendment deleting Article 137, which bars weapons of mass destruction and foreign bases. The amendment has passed the deliberation stage but still requires two further votes, each at least three months apart, with a minimum of 94 of the 141 members supporting it in every round. The first adoption vote is set for 6 October, and the final vote for 12 January 2027.

‘King of deterrence’: Lithuania moves to lift nuclear weapons ban

Article 137 was adopted after Lithuania regained independence, embedding a prohibition on nuclear weapons and foreign bases. Lithuania’s security posture has been shaped by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the modernization of Russian nuclear forces. The amendment is presented as a way to remove a “constitutional obstacle” to full participation in NATO’s nuclear deterrence, a stance shared by several Baltic and Central European allies that lack similar bans.

Will there be nuclear weapons in Lithuania following the Seimas’s decision? In Lithuania, parliament moved toward lifting the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons ‘King of deterrence’: Lithuania moves to lift nuclear weapons ban The Lithuanian Parliament Approved the Lifting of the Ban on the Deployment of Nuclear Weapons Lithuanian parliament backs move to remove ban on weapons of mass destruction United24 Media

• Juozas Olekas – Seimas Speaker, author of the amendment.

In Lithuania, parliament moved toward lifting the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons

• Laurynas Kasciunas – opposition leader, argues nuclear weapons are a key deterrent.

The Lithuanian Parliament Approved the Lifting of the Ban on the Deployment of Nuclear Weapons

• Remigijus Motuzas – chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, warns Lithuania could become a weak link in NATO’s deterrence.

The Lithuanian Parliament Approved the Lifting of the Ban on the Deployment of Nuclear Weapons

• Remigijus Žemaitaitis – Nemunas Dawn leader, questions the amendment’s necessity.

Lithuanian parliament backs move to remove ban on weapons of mass destruction

• Valius Ažuolas – agrarian lawmaker, abstained.

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• Ignas Vegele – Mixed Group member, raised concerns about removing the ban on foreign bases.

Lithuanian parliament backs move to remove ban on weapons of mass destruction

• Deliberation vote: 99 for, 13 against, 5 abstentions.

Will there be nuclear weapons in Lithuania following the Seimas’s decision?

• Amendment threshold: at least 94 yes votes in each of the three required ballots.

Will there be nuclear weapons in Lithuania following the Seimas’s decision?

• Voting schedule: 6 October (first) and 12 January 2027 (final).

Will there be nuclear weapons in Lithuania following the Seimas’s decision?

• Committee vote (9 September): Legal Affairs Committee approved 7-2.

Will there be nuclear weapons in Lithuania following the Seimas’s decision?

Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas said the security environment has changed dramatically and NATO’s nuclear deterrence is essential for peace. Remigijus Motuzas added the amendment would prevent Lithuania from becoming a “weak link” in NATO’s collective defense. Opposition voices, including Remigijus Žemaitaitis, warned the amendment could be used for Russian and Belarusian propaganda, while Ignas Vegele cautioned that removing the ban on foreign bases might allow Lithuania to cede land it would not control.

Lithuanian parliament backs move to remove ban on weapons of mass destruction United24 MediaIn Lithuania, parliament moved toward lifting the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons The Lithuanian Parliament Approved the Lifting of the Ban on the Deployment of Nuclear Weapons Will there be nuclear weapons in Lithuania following the Seimas’s decision? ‘King of deterrence’: Lithuania moves to lift nuclear weapons ban

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned Lithuania would be “wiped from the map” if a confrontation over nuclear deployment arose, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed that hosting allied nuclear weapons would make Lithuania a target. Lithuanian officials described these statements as pressure tactics.

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Critics argue the amendment is unnecessary because NATO already provides collective security without host-nation nuclear weapons and note the lack of a public referendum. They also fear the removal of the ban on foreign bases could enable forces beyond Lithuania’s direct control.

‘King of deterrence’: Lithuania moves to lift nuclear weapons ban

If adopted, the amendment would legally permit Lithuania to host NATO nuclear weapons, aligning its constitution with that of other regional allies. This could strengthen NATO’s eastern flank deterrence but also risk escalating tensions with Russia, which has threatened retaliation.

Will there be nuclear weapons in Lithuania following the Seimas’s decision?

The amendment’s fate now hinges on the votes scheduled for 6 October and 12 January 2027. Both require at least 94 affirmative votes. Passage would remove the constitutional barrier to NATO nuclear deterrence, though any actual deployment would still need separate political and military decisions by Vilnius and its NATO partners.

‘King of deterrence’: Lithuania moves to lift nuclear weapons ban