Russia has warned Lithuania that it could become a target of Russian nuclear weapons if the Baltic nation allows nuclear weapons from its NATO allies to be stationed on its territory.
The warning comes as Lithuania moves to remove a constitutional restriction that currently prevents nuclear weapons from being stored in the country. The proposed change is part of efforts by the Lithuanian government to strengthen its security posture amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The constitutional amendment is currently being considered by Lithuania’s parliament and requires a two-thirds majority to pass. It has received backing from President Gitanas Nauseda and major political parties and could take effect this winter.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the proposed move as a major escalation and warned of serious consequences if nuclear weapons were deployed in Lithuania.
“It would be “a very serious turn in terms of escalating tensions”,” Peskov told state television when asked about Lithuania’s plans.
“If there are nuclear weapons on the territory that are aimed at us, accordingly, the territory of that country will fall into the crosshairs of our own nuclear weapons,” he said.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced the plan in July, saying the country wanted to play a greater role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
Nauseda said Lithuania wanted to become an “integral part of this nuclear deterrence” as the country seeks to strengthen its security amid heightened tensions with Russia.
Source: AFP
