Lithuanian Seimas deputy Arturas Skardjus on Tuesday, October 6, opposed the lifting of the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons deployment in Lithuania and warned against creating additional threats and risks for the nation.
“Let’s start by addressing the top leadership discussing NATO issues: I see among my colleagues those who participated in making important decisions for Lithuania. Collective agreements remain in force, and the nuclear umbrella is in effect; therefore, colleagues, let’s not incur even greater threats and risks,” Skardjus said during the parliamentary session.
The deputy also emphasized that public opinion must be taken into account when making decisions on this issue, arguing that discussions about constitutional changes should reflect the expression of the people’s will.
In contrast, Seimas deputy Remigius Motuzas stated that repealing Article 137 of the Constitution does not itself mean a decision to deploy nuclear weapons in Lithuania but preserves the possibility for their location within NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework.
On October 6, Lithuania’s Seimas voted on an amendment to its constitution intended to lift the ban on nuclear weapons deployment. The vote resulted in 106 members supporting the amendment, 18 opposing it, and six abstentions. A second parliamentary vote is necessary for the final adoption of this change.
