Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Lithuanian politicians called the statement by the press secretary of the illegitimate president of the aggressor country Russia, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, about the possible targeting of Lithuanian territory with Russian nuclear weapons a means of political and psychological pressure. This was reported by Lithuanian outlet LRT on 12 September.
The Kremlin is displeased that Lithuania might allow allies to place nuclear weapons on its territory. The Seimas is currently considering a proposal to remove from the constitution the article that prohibits stationing weapons of mass destruction in the country. In addition to Peskov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev reacted to this. He called Lithuania's plans "futile" and said that Russia would allegedly have to respond to them. He also said that in the event of such developments "no one will stand up for them."
Laurynas Kasčiūnas, head of the opposition Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats faction in the Seimas and deputy chair of the National Security and Defense Committee, said that such statements from Russia do not surprise him.
"These talks should indeed be met with dignity and calm; this could really be expected. [...] All of NATO is a target of the Russian Federation," he said.
He also said that Lithuania must ensure the extension to it of the full NATO deterrence system, including the nuclear umbrella.
Dainius Gaižauskas, a member of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union faction and of the National Security and Defense Committee, also said that Lithuania became a potential target for Russia after joining NATO.
He said that the Kremlin's warnings about a possible nuclear strike are not new. He believes Peskov's statement is intended, among other things, to intimidate the populations of NATO countries.
In his view, changing the constitution is necessary so that Lithuania can fully use NATO's defense capabilities. Otherwise the country risks becoming the Alliance's weak link.
Remigijus Motuzas, a member of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania faction and chair of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, also called Peskov's statement a means of psychological and political pressure. He urged not to respond to Moscow's statements.
"Ignoring it is the best stance in this situation," the politician said.
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