Kremlin threatens Lithuania with nuclear targeting if it deploys such weapons

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would direct its nuclear weapons at Lithuania if the Baltic state, a NATO member and neighbor of Russia, were to deploy nuclear warheads from the arsenals of its allies on its territory.

“If nuclear weapons are deployed on Lithuanian territory and directed against us, then, accordingly, the territory of that country will be targeted by our nuclear weapons,” Peskov said.

According to him, the deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania would represent “a very serious turning point in terms of escalating tensions.” The statement was made in an interview with Russian state television that was published today.

The Lithuanian parliament is currently considering a constitutional amendment that would lift the ban on storing nuclear weapons in the country’s territory. The initiative requires a two-thirds majority to pass and is backed by the president and the main political parties, while it could take effect this winter.

Vilnius says the change is intended to increase the country’s security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

At the beginning of July, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said Lithuania wanted to join the West’s nuclear deterrent against Moscow, leaving open the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons on its territory.

However, Lithuanian officials have repeatedly said that the country has no plans to host such weapons.