Lithuania Moves to Scrap Nuclear Ban, Bolstering NATO Deterrence Against Russia

In a bold move that signals a significant shift in European security posture, fifty Lithuanian lawmakers have officially introduced a bill to repeal a constitutional ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons and foreign military bases. This initiative, backed by President Gitanas Nausėda, aims to remove an 'outdated' restriction and allow Lithuania to become a more integral part of NATO's nuclear deterrence strategy amidst escalating regional tensions. The proposed amendment to Article 137 of the Lithuanian Constitution reflects a growing urgency among Baltic states to fortify their defense capabilities. The push comes as the geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe remains volatile, heavily influenced by Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Neighboring Finland recently repealed its own nuclear weapons ban, effective July 1, 2026, setting a clear precedent for Baltic nations seeking to align more closely with NATO's collective defense. Adding to the strategic backdrop, French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year proposed a new European Nuclear Deterrence Framework, while a Financial Times Report indicated the United States is considering deploying nuclear weapons to more NATO member states, including those on the eastern flank like Lithuania. Amending Lithuania's constitution requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority in two separate votes, with a minimum three-month interval, meaning the process will stretch over several months. While President Nausėda and other officials stress there are no immediate plans to host nuclear weapons in peacetime, lifting the ban would grant Lithuania the flexibility to adapt to future security challenges. The move, however, is likely to draw strong reactions from Russia, which views such deployments near its borders, particularly around the Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, as a direct threat, further raising the stakes in an already tense region.