Lithuania Responded to Russia's Nuclear Threats

Lithuanian politicians reacted to the statement by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who pledged to bring Lithuania's territory under the target of Russian nuclear weapons if allied nuclear arms were stationed there. This is reported by Glavkom, citing LRT.

Parliamentarians called such threats another instrument of intimidation, noting that the country had become a potential target of the Russian Federation even after joining NATO. Responding to Moscow's statements, Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Remigijus Motuzas, deputy chair of the security committee Laurinas Kasciunas and deputy Dainius Gaizauskas emphasized that the best reaction is to ignore the blackmail, and Lithuania should fully utilize the Alliance's defense potential and its nuclear umbrella.

Currently, the Lithuanian Seimas is preparing to consider during the autumn session the removal from the Constitution of Article 137, which prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on the country’s soil. Lithuanian lawmakers argue that creating the necessary legal framework and infrastructure is critically important so that the country does not become a weak link in NATO and can host the most modern allied forces and armaments.

Recall that Lithuania has begun the procedure to amend the Constitution, which bans the placement of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on its territory. Parliament has already supported the amendment at the first stage of consideration.

The Kremlin also reacted to these plans. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that if nuclear weapons were placed in Lithuania, its territory would be "under the aim" of Russian nuclear weapons.

Lithuania has been a NATO member since 2004. Article 5 provides that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all, and allies commit to provide assistance to the attacked state. At the same time, the specific form of such assistance is determined by the allies.

As is known, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev threatened Lithuania with destruction in the event of military conflict and stated that NATO allegedly would not defend the country. He said this while addressing Russian media.

According to Medvedev, the famous Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which provides for collective defense of allies, allegedly will not be applied in the event of an attack on Lithuania.