A total of 106 lawmakers voted in favor of repealing the constitutional provision prohibiting the deployment of nuclear weapons domestically, while 6 abstained and 18 voted against.
Speaker of Parliament Juozas Olekas stated: "The lifting of the ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons removes legal restrictions in the security sector that differentiate us from other EU and NATO countries."
The Parliament's decision means that Article 137, which prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, in Lithuania, will be removed from the constitution.
A similar provision also prohibits the presence of foreign military bases in the country. Lithuania is currently pushing for the establishment of a US base.
A second vote within three months is required for the decision to take effect.
The Lithuanian parliament is expected to hold two votes on any constitutional amendments, spaced three months apart.
An amendment requires the support of an absolute majority of 94 out of 141 MPs. A second vote is scheduled for January 12, 2027.
In response to this development, Russian Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that NATO's military buildup near Russia's borders "cannot be seen as anything other than a step toward escalating tensions, like the deployment of nuclear weapons in a neighboring country."
He added: "None of these developments contribute to stability and predictability on the European continent."
Conversely, and unfortunately, this would mark another significant escalation of tensions. On the Russian side, of course, Russia would be forced to take all necessary measures to ensure its own security."
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/quoc-hoi-lithuania-bo-phieu-do-bo-lenh-cam-dat-vu-khi-hat-nhan-nga-len-tieng-post795192.html
