Lithuania votes to open door to NATO nuclear weapons on its soil as Kremlin threatens 'necessary measures'

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.

Emmanuel Macron watches France test a ballistic missile, as Lithuania's parliament votes to lift its constitutional ban on hosting nuclear weapons, drawing a Kremlin warning of "necessary measures.

Lithuania's parliament has cleared the first of two hurdles needed to remove the constitutional prohibition on nuclear weapons and foreign military bases, with 106 of 141 lawmakers voting in favour. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Moscow would be "forced to take all necessary measures" in response, describing the move as a major escalation. Trump said he would consider Lithuania's separate request for a permanent US military base, calling the Lithuanians "great people." A second vote cannot be held for at least three months; January 12, 2027 has been set as the target date.

Lithuania lies between Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, both of which host Russian military assets, making the constitutional ban a conspicuous weak point.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told lawmakers bluntly: 'If Russia had not started the war in Ukraine, we probably would not be having the discussions we are having today.'

The amendment would not itself deploy nuclear weapons but would lift the legal barrier preventing allied aircraft or ships carrying them from entering Lithuanian territory.

ua.newsThe Kremlin threatened Lithuania with necessary measures over its decision regarding nuclear weapons informat.roKremlin’s reaction after Lithuania approved the first vote to remove the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons turkiyetoday.comLithuania advances bid to lift constitutional ban on nuclear weapons kyivindependent.comLithuania takes 1st step to lift nuclear weapons ban amid Russian threat cnbc.comRussia’s neighbor backs push to lift ban on nuclear weapons, prompting outcry from Moscow ua.newsLithuania has taken the first step toward lifting the ban on nuclear weapons AOL News UKLithuania takes further step towards lifting nuclear weapons ban msn.comRussia’s neighbor could lift its ban on nuclear weapons, prompting outcry from Moscow ReutersKremlin warns Lithuania that its move to lift a nuclear arms ban risks further escalation

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