Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas said on Tuesday that Lithuania should consider amending its constitution to allow the deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory, citing the current geopolitical situation.
"Given the situation we are in, the geopolitical situation and what is happening, I believe it is certainly worth doing," Olekas told reporters at the parliament.Article 137 of the Lithuanian Constitution currently stipulates that there may be no weapons of mass destruction or foreign military bases on Lithuanian territory.The Seimas is simultaneously deliberating on the Law on the Klaipėda State Seaport, which was vetoed by President Gitanas Nausėda.The president argued that the law’s wording could create preconditions for ships carrying nuclear weapons to enter the port, which he said would violate the Constitution.Olekas said Lithuania should define its position on nuclear deterrence more clearly and consider joining broader NATO or European "nuclear umbrella" initiatives.The Seimas Speaker also noted that various scenarios – ranging from the deployment of nuclear weapons to the movement of nuclear-powered ships or aircraft – should be thoroughly evaluated before any decisions are made.Discussions regarding constitutional changes on this issue have previously been raised by former Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė.The current Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas maintains that Lithuania relies on US nuclear deterrence guarantees, while France has proposed creating a broader European nuclear umbrella.
