Russia's reaction to the green light given by Lithuania

The Lithuanian parliament's first vote to accept the amendment to remove the constitutional provision banning the possession of nuclear weapons and the establishment of foreign military bases in the country caused a reaction from Russia. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania and the approach of US military infrastructure to Russian borders will increase tensions in Europe.

NUCLEAR WEAPON REACTION FROM THE KREMLIN TO LITHUANIA

Peskov answered journalists' questions about Russia's statement that it would consider the constitutional amendment in Lithuania and US President Donald Trump's request for the establishment of a permanent US military base in the country.

Peskov said, "If the military infrastructure of the United States, the de facto leading country of NATO, is approaching our borders, this can of course be perceived as nothing more than a step towards escalating tensions. The same applies to the deployment of nuclear weapons on the territory of a neighboring state. None of these developments will contribute to stability and predictability on the European continent, on the contrary, they will significantly increase tensions."

FIRST VOTE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN LITHUANIA

The Lithuanian parliament accepted in the first vote the proposal to amend Article 137 of the Constitution, which prohibits the possession of nuclear weapons and foreign military bases on the country's territory.

The amendment proposal was accepted with the "yes" vote of 106 deputies, the "no" vote of 18 deputies and the abstention of 6 deputies. For the regulation to come into force, a two-stage parliamentary process must be completed.

In order for the amendment to be accepted in the final vote, at least 94 deputies in the 141-seat Seimas must support it. The final vote is scheduled for January 12.

NO DECISION YET ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN LITHUANIA

Lifting the ban in the Constitution does not alone mean that nuclear weapons will be deployed in Lithuania. The regulation aims to remove the constitutional obstacle to the deployment of nuclear weapons in the country.

Lithuania's border with Russia and Belarus highlights the security dimension of the regulation. Lithuania is also a member of the European Union and NATO.

US MILITARY PRESENCE IN LITHUANIA

The United States has maintained an armored battalion of approximately 1,000 soldiers in Lithuania since 2019. The troops serve on a rotational basis.