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Lithuanian Seimas backs second reading of amendment to allow nuclear hosting
Коротко
Lithuania's Seimas approved on a repeat vote a constitutional amendment removing the ban on hosting weapons of mass destruction and military bases of foreign states, according to the Lithuanian defence ministry. Interfax and Kommersant reported 99 deputies voted in favour in the first vote and 106 in the second, with at least 94 needed in each of three votes. A final vote is set for 12 January, after which the change would only open the possibility of hosting nuclear weapons; the ministry said it is needed to use the full potential of NATO deterrence.
Читать полностью 2 мин чтения
Lithuania's parliament, the Seimas, approved on a repeat vote a constitutional amendment that removes the ban on hosting weapons of mass destruction and military bases of foreign states on Lithuanian territory, according to the Lithuanian defence ministry. Interfax and Kommersant reported that 99 deputies voted in favour in the first vote and 106 in the second; at least 94 votes are required in each of the three votes needed to amend the constitution. [ 2 , 3 ]
The final vote is scheduled for 12 January after a three-month break, Interfax said, describing the date as 12 January of next year, while Kommersant, citing LRT, put it at 12 January 2027. Article 137 of the Lithuanian constitution currently states that weapons of mass destruction and military bases of foreign states may not be stationed in the country. [ 2 , 3 ]
The defence ministry said the amendment is motivated by the need for Lithuania to be able to use the full potential of NATO deterrence, that NATO's nuclear weapons are the most effective means of deterrence and the alliance's nuclear shield is the basis of that deterrence, and that Lithuania is the only NATO country with such a constitutional ban. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant, citing LRT, reported that Remigijus Motuzas, head of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, has said an absolute majority of NATO countries have no restrictions on hosting nuclear weapons, including Latvia, Estonia and Poland. Kommersant also reported that lifting the ban changes the domestic legal framework first of all: it leaves open the possibility of hosting nuclear weapons but does not mean they will appear in Lithuania, and practical implementation would require a separate decision within NATO, including the alliance recognising the need for such a deployment. [ 3 ]
According to Kommersant, NATO is discussing expanding nuclear deterrence in Europe, and Lithuania has been named among possible locations for additional US weapons. It also reported that the Lithuanian president has said Vilnius has no plans to station a nuclear arsenal in peacetime, and that the authorities consider lifting the ban compatible with the country's obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. [ 3 ]
TASS reported the vote as a decision to drop the ban on hosting nuclear weapons, adding that a second vote in three months is needed for the decision to take effect — a description that differs from Interfax and Kommersant, which present the vote as the second reading, with a third and final vote scheduled for 12 January. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Почему это важно
The vote changes Lithuania's domestic legal framework and, if completed, would remove a constitutional obstacle to hosting allied nuclear weapons on the country's territory. Actual deployment would still require a separate decision within NATO, and Kommersant reports the alliance is already discussing expanded nuclear deterrence in Europe, with Lithuania named among possible locations for additional US weapons. The issue concerns a NATO member bordering Russia and is being reported by Russian state and business outlets.
Ключевые факты
- Lithuania's Seimas approved on a repeat vote a constitutional amendment removing the ban on hosting weapons of mass destruction and military bases of foreign states on Lithuanian territory, per the Lithuanian defence ministry. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The first vote produced 99 votes in favour and the second 106, according to Interfax and Kommersant. [ 2 , 3 ]
- At least 94 deputies must vote in favour in each of three votes to amend the constitution, Interfax and Kommersant reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The final vote is scheduled for 12 January, which Interfax describes as 12 January of next year and Kommersant as 12 January 2027. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Lithuanian defence ministry said the amendment is motivated by the need for Lithuania to be able to use the full potential of NATO deterrence, calling NATO's nuclear weapons the most effective means of deterrence and Lithuania the only NATO country with such a constitutional ban. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Article 137 of the Lithuanian constitution currently states that weapons of mass destruction and military bases of foreign states may not be stationed in the country, Interfax reported. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reported that removing the ban changes the domestic legal framework but does not mean nuclear weapons will appear in Lithuania, and that practical implementation would require a separate NATO decision, including the alliance recognising the need. [ 3 ]
- Remigijus Motuzas, head of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, has said an absolute majority of NATO countries have no restrictions on hosting nuclear weapons, including Latvia, Estonia and Poland, according to Kommersant. [ 3 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
- The Seimas approved the constitutional amendment on a repeat vote. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Adoption requires at least 94 votes in favour in each of three votes; the first two produced 99 and 106. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The final vote is scheduled for 12 January. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Lithuanian defence ministry said the amendment is needed so Lithuania can use the full potential of NATO deterrence. [ 2 , 3 ]
Пока неясно
- Whether nuclear weapons would actually be stationed in Lithuania. Kommersant states that removing the ban does not mean weapons will appear, and that a separate NATO decision, including alliance recognition of the need, would be required first.
- What exactly the amendment lifts. Interfax describes removal of the ban on weapons of mass destruction and military bases of foreign states, while TASS and Kommersant describe removal of the ban on hosting nuclear weapons.
- Whether this vote was itself the second reading or a vote requiring a further second vote. TASS says a second vote is needed in three months for the decision to take effect, while Interfax and Kommersant say this was the second vote and that a third and final vote is set for 12 January.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- TASS reports that the Lithuanian parliament voted to drop the ban on hosting nuclear weapons and that a second vote is required in three months for the decision to take effect. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reports that the Seimas approved the constitutional amendment on a repeat vote and that the final vote is set for 12 January. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reports the second-reading approval, citing LRT, and puts the final vote on 12 January 2027. [ 3 ]