---
title: "Lithuania takes first step toward nuclear weapons deployment despite Russian threats"
description: "The Lithuanian Seimas approved in the first reading the repeal of the ban on hosting nuclear weapons and foreign bases. A final vote is required in January."
date: 2026-10-06T10:52:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/lithuania-takes-first-step-toward-nuclear-weapons-deployment
tags: [lithuania, nuclear-weapons, seimas, russia, nato]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Lithuania takes first step toward nuclear weapons deployment despite Russian threats

![The Seimas building in Vilnius during the discussion of constitutional amendments](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/06/litva-sdelala-pervyy-shag-k-razmeshcheniyu-yadernogo-oruzhiya/litva-sdelala-pervyy-shag-k-razmeshcheniyu-yadernogo-oruzhiya-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The Lithuanian Seimas approved the repeal of the nuclear ban in the first reading.
- 106 MPs voted for the initiative, 18 against.
- The final vote is scheduled for January 12 of next year.
- Moscow issued harsh threats against Vilnius.

The Seimas of Lithuania has officially approved in the first reading important amendments to the national constitution that completely lift the previously existing ban on hosting nuclear weapons and foreign military bases in the country. A total of 106 members of the Lithuanian parliament voted in favor of this initiative, while 18 lawmakers opposed it and six others abstained. This move marks a fundamental revision of the state's defense strategy amid growing geopolitical tensions.

### Decision Procedure and Next Steps

For the decision to enter into force, the Lithuanian parliament must hold a second and final vote. According to the regulations, this can take place no earlier than three months from the first reading. According to Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, the final session is scheduled for January 12 of next year. Securing the final approval of this historic amendment will require at least 94 votes out of 141 in parliament.

### Motives and Goals of the Defense Reform

Juozas Olekas emphasized that repealing Article 137 of the Constitution will significantly increase the country's overall resilience and strengthen the effect of strategic military deterrence. In his view, removing legal restrictions will allow Lithuania to match other European Union and NATO member states in defense capabilities. Currently, the country's fundamental law explicitly prohibits the presence of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on its territory.

Against the backdrop of discussing these amendments, rhetoric from the Russian Federation has escalated. Earlier, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, openly stated that Moscow would consider the possible deployment of nuclear weapons on Lithuanian territory as a direct ground for a harsh military response. Furthermore, the Russian politician made aggressive remarks claiming that in the event of an escalation, NATO allegedly would not defend the republic, and threatened the complete destruction of the Lithuanian state.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Литва сделала первый шаг к размещению ядерного оружия, несмотря на угрозы России](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/litva-zrobila-pershiy-krok-rozmishchennya-1791283317.html) - Данные по результатам голосования и срокам.
- [Сейм Литвы проголосовал за отмену запрета на размещение ядерного оружия](https://ru.slovoidilo.ua/2026/10/06/novost/mir/sejm-litvy-progolosoval-otmenu-zapreta-razmeshhenie-yadernogo-oruzhiya) - Подтверждено количество голосов за и против.
- [Сейм Литвы одобрил отмену запрета на ядерное оружие в первом чтении](https://theotherukraine.info/2026/10/06/sejm-litvy-odobril-otmenu-zapreta-na-yadernoe-oruzhie-v-pervom-chtenii/) - Детали о заявлениях Юозаса Олекаса.
- [Литва сделала первый шаг к размещению ядерного оружия](https://vesti.az/v-mire/litva-sdelala-pervyi-sag-k-razmeshheniyu-yadernogo-oruziya-619029) - Информация об угрозах со стороны Медведева.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What changes did the Lithuanian Seimas approve?
**A:** The Seimas approved constitutional amendments in the first reading lifting the ban on hosting nuclear weapons and foreign military bases.

### Q: When will the final vote on the amendments take place?
**A:** The final vote is scheduled for January 12 of next year.