Lithuania Considers Hosting US Nuclear Weapons

Lithuania is in talks with the United States about the possibility of stationing US nuclear weapons on its territory, Politico reports. Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed the discussions are ongoing, saying Vilnius wants to be part of the debate on future security arrangements within NATO.

The issue has arisen as Washington reassesses its military presence in Europe. Plans to reduce the number of US troops on the continent, including the departure of around 1,000 service members from Lithuania, have raised concerns among allies. Kaunas noted, however, that the US is also considering new options for rotating military personnel in the Baltic region.

Any deployment of nuclear weapons would require a change to the Lithuanian constitution, which prohibits the presence of weapons of mass destruction on the country's territory. President Gitanas Nauseda has proposed such a change, citing the deteriorating security situation in the region and the growing threat from Russia.

The talks follow a Financial Times report that US officials are considering extending the NATO nuclear umbrella to countries on the alliance's eastern flank. US nuclear weapons are currently deployed in six European states: Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

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