Lithuania’s Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said on Thursday that any deployment of US nuclear weapons in Lithuania would only be considered in the event of a crisis or wartime situation.
Speaking to reporters, Kaunas said NATO members must be prepared to use all available defence options if required, but stressed that such discussions do not apply in peacetime.
“Like every country, Lithuania must defend its independence and security during a crisis. In times of crisis or, let us say, even during war, we should probably utilise all possible opportunities provided to us by NATO and the nuclear arsenals of the United States or France,” he said.
He added that there was “no talk” of deploying weapons of mass destruction in Lithuania during peacetime.
His comments come after the Financial Times reported that US officials are considering expanding nuclear-capable delivery systems or related capabilities across NATO’s European member states, although such steps are not seen as imminent.
