Lithuanian Parliament Advances Bill to Reverse Nuclear Weapons Ban
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, voted 106‑18 on 6 October 2026 to advance a constitutional amendment that would overturn the nation’s ban on nuclear weapons.
The amendment is intended to allow Lithuania to participate fully in NATO’s nuclear sharing program, a move supported by President Gitanas Nauseda and Liberal Movement parliamentary group leader Viktorija Čmilytė‑Nielsen, who said it would enable the country’s armed forces to join NATO deterrence planning and exercises.
According to Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, the proposal is a response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, arguing that without the war the discussion would not be taking place. Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas added that the amendment would eliminate legal exceptions that currently set Lithuania apart from other EU and NATO members.
The measure still faces procedural hurdles. The constitution requires a second vote after a mandatory three‑month waiting period, and at least 94 of the 141 Seimas members must approve the amendment on both occasions. The final vote is scheduled for 12 January 2027, and officials expect the threshold to be met.
Russia reacted sharply, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the proposal “unnecessarily provocative” and warning that it could further destabilize the European continent. Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, former commander of U.S. European Command, noted that similar proposals have emerged in Poland, Finland and other NATO allies, reflecting concerns about the reliability of the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
U.S. involvement is expected to be central, as the United States is the primary provider of tactical nuclear weapons for NATO’s sharing arrangements. Other NATO members, such as France, have also expressed interest in stationing nuclear assets with partner nations, though no specific plans have been announced for Lithuania.
Lithuania’s push comes amid heightened security concerns along the Suwałki Gap, a narrow corridor bordering Belarus and Russia that NATO views as a potential flashpoint. The amendment’s supporters argue that allowing nuclear weapons on Lithuanian soil would strengthen deterrence and signal the country’s commitment to collective defense.
The next step will be the Seimas’s second reading in January, after which the amendment could be incorporated into the constitution, reshaping the strategic landscape of the Baltic region.
