Lithuania hits back at Kremlin over nuclear threats
Russian leader Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Lithuanian politicians have rejected Kremlin threats following statements by Russian leader Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev regarding the possible deployment of nuclear weapons in the country. Vilnius considers such statements an attempt at political and psychological pressure that should not influence the state's decisions, according to LRT.
Deputy Chairman of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas described the Kremlin representative's words as an instrument of political and psychological pressure. According to him, such Russian tactics are not new, and a change in the constitutional norm itself will not alter Lithuania's status from Moscow's perspective.
Committee member Dainius Gaižauskas also stated that Lithuania became a potential target for Russia right after joining NATO. In his view, the Kremlin's warnings are addressed not only to Vilnius. Still, they are also meant to intimidate the populations of Alliance countries and demonstrate the possibility of pressure on the West.
He added that lifting the constitutional ban is necessary, in his view, so that Lithuania can fully utilize the defense capabilities provided by NATO. Otherwise, the country risks becoming the Alliance's weak link.
At the same time, Lithuanian politicians' key response to the Kremlin is that Lithuania is already among Russia's potential targets because of its NATO membership, and Moscow's threats should not dictate the country's decisions about its own security.
Context of Lithuanian politicians' reaction
As early as this winter, Lithuania could amend its Constitution to allow the deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory. Back in the summer, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that there is "practically unanimous" support among parliamentary party leaders for the idea of lifting the ban on nuclear weapons in the country.
The day before, Dmitry Medvedev threatened Lithuania with consequences in the event of the deployment of any weapons, including nuclear ones, on its territory. He claimed that in the event of a Russian response, NATO would allegedly not come to the country's defense.
Due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and Trump's continuous drift away from NATO, European countries are considering various means for nuclear defense.
For example, in late June 2026, Finnish President Alexander Stubb officially signed amendments to the nuclear energy law. This step finally allowed the import, transit, and storage of nuclear weapons on the country's territory as part of integration into NATO's defense system.
Meanwhile, Poland and France have begun concrete negotiations on a "nuclear umbrella." The parties held the first meeting of a special coordination group.
