Lithuania's Defense Minister Supports Removing Ban on Nuclear Weapons
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Lithuania's Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas supports removing the constitutional ban on deploying weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, on the country's territory, stating it prevents full use of NATO's defense capabilities.
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Why It Matters
Lithuania is the only NATO country that constitutionally prohibits nuclear weapons on its territory. The defense minister's statement follows the president's veto on allowing vessels carrying nuclear weapons into Klaipeda port.
VILNIUS, July 2. /TASS/. Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense supports removing the constitutional ban on deploying weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, on the country's territory, Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said.
He noted that NATO, of which Lithuania is a member, possesses nuclear forces "for both defense and deterrence."
"Lithuania is virtually the only NATO country that prohibits nuclear weapons," he said in an interview with Ziniu Radijas. "This prevents us from making full use of the alliance's defense capabilities, which is why I support repealing the relevant article of the Constitution."
Earlier this week, Prime Minister-designate Mindaugas Sinkevicius expressed the same position, citing "considerations of political correctness."
At the end of May, Lithuania's Seimas (parliament) upheld President Gitanas Nauseda's veto on allowing vessels carrying nuclear weapons to enter the State Seaport of Klaipeda. As the president noted, Article 137 of Lithuania's Constitution unequivocally prohibits the presence of weapons of mass destruction on the country's territory.
Open Questions
- What are the specific 'political correctness' considerations cited?
- What is the timeline for potential constitutional changes?
- What is the broader public reaction in Lithuania?
