Lithuanian politicians reject Kremlin threat over nuclear weapons

Lithuanian politicians have dismissed a warning from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that Lithuania would become a target for Russian nuclear weapons if it allowed allies to deploy them, LRT reported, citing the ELTA news agency. They described the statement as an attempt to exert political and psychological pressure, saying Lithuania is already a potential Russian target because of its NATO membership.

Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued the warning on Friday. The Lithuanian Parliament is currently considering a proposal to remove a constitutional provision banning weapons of mass destruction in the country.

Kasčiūnas calls for a calm response

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chairman of the opposition Homeland Union Lithuanian Christian Democrats parliamentary group and deputy chairman of the parliamentary National Security and Defence Committee, called Peskov’s statement a tool of political and psychological pressure.

“We really need to look at such talk with dignity and calmly. It was certainly to be expected,” Kasčiūnas told ELTA.

He said the tactic was neither new nor exceptional, stressing that the whole of NATO was a target for Russia. Changing the constitutional provision would therefore not, by itself, alter Lithuania’s status.

Kasčiūnas said Lithuania must ensure that it benefits from the full NATO deterrence system, including the nuclear umbrella. He described nuclear deterrence as one of the main tools for maintaining peace and said Lithuania’s security also depended on its ability to make full use of NATO’s defence capabilities.

Gaižauskas warns against becoming NATO’s weak link

Dainius Gaižauskas, a member of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union parliamentary group and the National Security and Defence Committee, also said Lithuania had become a potential Russian target when it joined NATO.

He said Kremlin warnings about a possible nuclear attack were not new and that Peskov’s message was intended to show Russia’s domestic audience that Moscow could pressure the West, while also intimidating residents of NATO countries.

“We became a state of a nuclear alliance when we joined NATO. The only thing is that we do not have that weapon ourselves,” Gaižauskas said.

He said the constitutional amendment was needed so Lithuania could fully use NATO’s defence capabilities. Otherwise, he warned, the country could become the alliance’s weak link.

“If we do not have the infrastructure or legal basis for F-35s or other most modern aircraft to fly to Lithuania, we become the weak link,” Gaižauskas said.

Motuzas urges Lithuania to ignore Moscow

Remigijus Motuzas, a member of the ruling Lithuanian Social Democratic Party parliamentary group and chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, also described Peskov’s statement as psychological and political pressure.

He said Russia had previously used similar threats against countries seeking NATO membership, including Finland and Sweden.

According to Motuzas, Russia is seeking to pressure neighbouring countries not to strengthen their defences or prepare a response to possible threats. He urged Lithuania not to react to such statements, saying that any reaction benefited Russia.

“Ignoring it is the best position in this situation,” Motuzas said.

The Parliament is expected to decide during its autumn session on a proposal to remove Article 137 of the Constitution, which prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania. The Constitution currently states that weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases may not be located in the country.