Lithuanian PM says constitutional change on nuclear weapons aims to deter

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said a proposed constitutional change concerning the deployment of nuclear weapons is intended to strengthen deterrence, not escalate the conflict with Russia, LRT reported.

Speaking on Monday at the Warsaw Security Forum, Sinkevičius said the change would give Lithuania more options to respond to unexpected risks alongside NATO allies that possess such weapons. In a worst-case scenario, he said, those allies would be ready to cooperate and intervene in the interests of Lithuania, NATO and Europe.

Last week, Lithuania’s parliament passed the proposal in its first of two required votes. It would remove Article 137 of the Constitution, which prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in Lithuania. Supporters say the current rules do not reflect the changed security situation and limit Lithuania’s ability to participate fully in NATO’s collective defence and nuclear deterrence systems. Opponents say a referendum should be held before such a decision is made.

A constitutional amendment requires two parliamentary votes at least three months apart. It must receive support from at least two-thirds of all MPs in each vote, or at least 94 of the 141 members.