Lithuania moves to allow nuclear weapons on its territory

Lithuania moves to allow nuclear weapons on its territory, sparking threats of ‘escalation’ from Russia

Published October 6, 2026 2:32pm ET Updated October 6, 2026 2:32pm ET

The Lithuanian Parliament has preliminarily approved a constitutional amendment that could allow it to host nuclear weapons on its territory, raising alarm bells in the Kremlin.

The first reading of a bill to allow nuclear weapons to be hosted in Lithuania passed with a vote of 106-18 on Tuesday. Six members abstained. A final vote to confirm the change will take place after a mandatory three-month waiting period — tentatively scheduled for Jan. 12, 2027. It will need at least 94 members to vote affirmatively, but it is expected to meet that threshold.