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Lithuania Considers Lifting Ban on Nuclear Weapons to ... - Devdiscourse Lithuania Considers Lifting Ban on Nuclear Weapons to Fortify Defense In response to escalating regional tensions, Lithuania plans to lift a constitutional ban on nuclear weapons and foreign military bases. This major legal change, requiring significant parliamentary support, underscores the nation's evolving security priorities, aligning with Finland's recent policy shift and Lithuania's increased defense spending post-Ukraine invasion. Devdiscourse News Desk | Lithuanias Parliamentary Parties Have Agreed On A Plan To Lift A Constitutional Ban On Nuclear Weapons And Foreign Military Bases In The Baltic Nation | Updated: 02-07-2026 17:05 IST | Created: 02-07-2026 17:05 IST This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only. SHARE Lithuania is poised to lift its constitutional ban on nuclear weapons and foreign military bases, marking a pivotal change in national security strategy. The proposal comes amidst intensifying regional security concerns, sparked largely by Russian activities, and highlights a signific…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Finland on list of targets for Russian nuclear weapons — Medvedev The deputy chairman of the Security Council explained that this happened after Finland lifted its ban on the import of nuclear weapons

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Putin faces nukes 'on doorstep' as NATO country lifts long-standing ... Putin faces 'nukes on his doorstep' as NATO country lifts long-standing weapons ban Finnish lawmakers voted to lift the country's ban on nuclear weapons but the government has said it has no plans to host the weapons of mass destruction at this time News Tannur Anders UK & World News Reporter 02:04, 18 Jun 2026 View 3 Images Russian President Vladimir Putin (file image) (Image: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool Sputni) Russia could now have nuclear weapons on its doorstep after a NATO ally changed its rules on weapons of mass destruction. ‌ Lawmakers in Finland on Wednesday, June 17, voted to lift the country's longstanding ban on nuclear weapons , allowing for the import, transport, supply, and possession of nuclear arms on its territory when necessary. ‌ The Finnish government has said the country has no plans to host nuclear weapons at this time. ‌ The country abandoned its longstanding stance of military neutrality after Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. View 3 Images Weapon of mass destruction (stock image) (Image: Getty Images) The decision to allow for nuclear weapons ma…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Finland readies itself to be able to host nukes in longtime policy ... BERLIN — Finland’s government has proposed scrapping a Cold War-era blanket ban on nuclear weapons on its territory, a move the Ministry of Defense says is needed to fully integrate into NATO’s deterrence architecture. The proposal, circulated for public comment on March 5, would amend both the Nuclear Energy Act and the Criminal Code. Under current law − passed in 1987 during a period of Finnish neutrality − the import, transport, possession, manufacture, and detonation of nuclear devices is categorically prohibited, without exception. The draft amendment would permit nuclear weapons to be brought into or handled on Finnish soil “in the context of Finland’s homeland defense, NATO’s collective defense or defense cooperation,” according to the ministry. Manufacturing or detonating the weapons would remain a criminal offense, in line with Finland’s international treaty obligations. “The amendment is essential to strengthen Finland’s military defense within the alliance and to fully leverage NATO’s deterrence and collective defense capabilities,” Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said at a press briefing in Helsinki…

Finland lifts ban on nuclear weapons imports | Yle News | Yle Finland will lift its blanket ban on nuclear weapons imports, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) announced on Thursday evening. He noted that the 1980s-era restriction is no longer aligned with Finland's requirements as a Nato member. "The [current] legislation does not reflect the needs Finland faces as a Nato member," Häkkänen said. He added that the transport of nuclear munitions into Finland will be permitted only in situations directly related to the country's military defence. In all other cases, bringing nuclear devices into Finland will remain strictly prohibited. Speaking to the press, Häkkänen declined to give examples of scenarios in which nuclear weapons might be brought into Finland, citing the classified nature of Nato nuclear policy. He emphasised, however, that Finland is not seeking to host nuclear weapons on its territory, nor will Nato nuclear exercises involve deploying such arms in Finland in the future. Opposition criticises repeal of nuclear ban Under the current nuclear energy legislation, all forms of nuclear explosives are prohibited on Finnish soil. Opposition parties, including the Social …

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Finland lifting its ban on nukes requires Russian response, diplomat says Maria Zakharova lambasted the move as unfounded, given repeated statements from leading Finnish politicians and relevant agencies in the Nordic country that Russia does not pose a direct military threat to Finns

Finland Announces Possible Deployment Of Nuclear Weapons, Directly ... Support SouthFront Click to see the full-size image Written byAhmed Adel,Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher Lifting Finnish restrictions on nuclear weapon transit would bring nuclear arsenals closer to Russia’s borders and pose a direct threat to the Eurasian Giant, which Moscow will definitely not accept. In other words, Finland could become a target for the Russian military if this plan goes ahead. It is clear this is an additional pressure point on Russia. Nuclear weapons will be stationed near the border, which will leave the Kremlin no choice but to respond in kind and also deploy nuclear weapons. Russia already has them in Belarus and will probably need to strengthen the military infrastructure near Finland due to the escalation. Finland has compromised its own security by joining NATO and discussing nuclear weapons. It is evident that Finland has moved away from its former policy of neutrality. When Finland joined NATO in 2023, it became clear that its neutrality was no longer intact—membership in the Alliance demands complete discipline and loyalty. If the Alliance decides tha…

Lithuania to lift nuclear weapons ban, aligning with NATO strategy https://theweek.com/culture-life/travel/guide-vilnius-lithuania-history-restaurants-sustainability Lithuania to lift nuclear weapons ban, aligning with NATO strategy NATO and Russia military clash Share Add us on Google by Estefano Gomez Jul. 2, 2026 Lithuania has reportedly agreed to remove its constitutional ban on nuclear weapons, as per a Reuters report. This development is part of broader efforts by NATO to enhance its nuclear deterrence strategy amid escalating tensions with Russia. The move is not about Lithuania acquiring nuclear weapons but potentially hosting U.S. or NATO nuclear capabilities on its territory. The constitutional amendment would enable Lithuania to play a more significant role in NATO’s defense posture, aligning with ongoing strategic discussions between Lithuania, the United States, and other NATO allies. Advertisement Key Takeaways Lithuania’s decision appears consistent with increased support for NATO’s nuclear deterrence, potentially escalating regional tensions with Russia. The constitutional amendment is aimed at allowing U.S. or NATO nuclear deployments, not Lithuanian acquisition o…

Finland lifts nuclear weapons ban to align with NATO deterrence policy Finland's parliament voted Wednesday to remove a longstanding ban on nuclear weapons, marking a major shift in the country's security posture as Helsinki continues to int...

Finland moves to allow hosting of nuclear weapons in dangerous shift Washington should make clear that it does not want to place nukes near the 800-plus mile Russian-Finnish border Finland ismovingto lift its long-standing legal ban on hosting nuclear weapons within Finnish territory. On NATO’s sensitive frontier withRussia, this is a step in the wrong direction. The U.S. should be the first country to object to this reckless shift. On March 5, Helsinki published draft amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act and the Criminal Code that would allow nuclear weapons to be brought into or based on Finnish soil, despite widespread publicskepticismtoward the change. Officials say Finland is not seeking its own nuclear arsenal, and President Alexander Stubb hasstressedthat his country does not intend to host nuclear weapons in peacetime. However, this change wouldremovea constraint on future governments, meaning any subsequent administration could decide to permit the permanent presence of nuclear weapons. Finland’sbanon nuclear weapons dates back to 1987, when Finland was neutral and trying to stay in the good graces of its powerful neighbor, the Soviet Union. In practice, the ban was …

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Baltic Nuclear Shift: Lithuania Moves to Drop WMD Ban With Ankara Summit Days Away https://www.byteseu.com/2165472/ Within 48 hours of Finland formally ending its own nuclear weapons prohibition, Lithuania moved to erase the last remaining constitutional barrier to hosting nuclear arms on …

Finnish Parliament Votes to End Nuclear Weapons Ban, Opening Door to ... Share: HELSINKI, — June 18, 2026 : Finland's parliament has approved legislation that removes the country's decades-old ban on the presence of nuclear weapons on its territory, marking a significant change in national defense policy as the country continues to integrate into NATO following its accession to the alliance in April 2023 . The legislation was passed on Wednesday by a vote of 125 in favor and 61 against , while 13 lawmakers were absent . The bill repeals provisions contained in Finland's Nuclear Energy Act , which had prohibited the import, production, possession, transport, supply, and detonation of nuclear explosives since the late 1980s. The reform also includes amendments to the Finnish Criminal Code , creating exceptions that allow the transport, supply, and possession of nuclear weapons when connected to Finland's military defense, NATO collective defense obligations , or defense cooperation activities. The legislation now awaits formal approval by President Alexander Stubb before entering into force. Strengthening NATO Integration Finnish officials said the legislative changes are intended t…

Finland's parliament votes to lift decades-old ban on nuclear weapons in historic NATO defense shift Finland's parliament votes to lift a decades-old nuclear weapons ban in a historic defense policy shift to align more closely with NATO deterrence.

Finland tears up nuclear weapons ban in NATO shift - POLITICO Finnish lawmakers voted by a margin of 125 to 61 on Wednesday to lift the country’s longstanding ban on nuclear weapons, marking a major shift in Helsinki’s security posture as it deepens its integration with NATO. The measure clears the way for Finland to receive, transport and otherwise facilitate the movement of nuclear weapons on its territory as part of allied defense operations, removing a decades-old legal restriction that officials say no longer fits the country’s role inside NATO. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen hailed the move as “essential” for Finland’s security, but insisted the country had no plans to permanently station nuclear arms on its soil. “The Parliament approved the amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act with a strong 2/3 majority,” Häkkänen wrote on X following the vote. “This historic reform strengthens the security of Finland and of NATO as a whole.” He said the issue had required years of discussions with allies and nuclear powers over how Finland could best strengthen its security within the alliance. Advertisement The vote caps a years-long transformation in Finnish defense policy triggered by …

Finland Lifts Ban on Nuclear Weapons Under New Law Changes Photo: Tom Nicholson / Getty Images) Earlier, the Finnish Parliament approved the amendments by a majority vote: 125 lawmakers voted “in favor” and 61 voted “against,”according toPolitico. Defense Minister Antti Hykkänen called the decision an important step for national security, while emphasizing that Finland does not plan to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory on a permanent basis. The debate over the initiative was accompanied by comments from Russia. According to RBC, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov had previously stated that Moscow views such changes as a move that escalates tensions and warned of possible retaliatory measures should nuclear weapons be deployed in Finland. It should be noted that Finland joined NATO in 2023, after which issues of defense policy and nuclear deterrence became the subject of active debate both domestically and in its relations with Russia.

Finnish Parliament backs lifting ban on nuclear weapons Finnish Parliament backs lifting ban on nuclear weapons Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox While 125 deputies backed the government proposal, 61 voted against it, with another 13 absent from the chamber. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH Published Jun 18, 2026, 12:10 AM Updated Jun 18, 2026, 09:23 AM Listen HELSINKI - Finland’s parliament on June 17 voted to lift a total ban on nuclear weapons there, to bring the country in line with NATO’s deterrence policy after joining the alliance in 2023. The bill, will permit nuclear weapons to be brought, transported, supplied, or possessed in Finland where Finland’s military defence requires it. While 125 deputies backed the government proposal, 61 voted against it, with another 13 absent from the chamber. Now that it has been approved by parliament it only requires the approval of the president. The decision repeals the national ban on the import, production, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives from the country’s Nuclear Energy Act dating back to the 1980s. It amends the criminal code to include the exceptions to a prohibition on nuclear weapons. “With …

Finland's Nuclear Pivot: A Strategic Leap Towards Energy Sovereignty ... Finland's Nuclear Pivot: A Strategic Leap Towards Energy Sovereignty and Russian Disengagement Business November 12, 2025 HELSINKI – In a profound geopolitical shift, Finland has decisively embarked on an ambitious nuclear power strategy to shed its historical reliance on Russian energy, a move accelerated by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The commissioning of the Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor and the swift cancellation of a Russian-backed project underscore Finland's commitment to energy independence, transforming its energy landscape and bolstering national security. The nation, sharing a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, has demonstrated a rapid and comprehensive decoupling from its eastern neighbor's energy supply, setting a precedent for other European states. The Geopolitical Catalyst: An Urgent Reassessment For decades, Finland maintained a complex energy relationship with Russia, importing approximately one-third of its total energy and a substantial portion of its crude oil, natural gas, and electricity. However, Russia's aggression in Ukraine served as a stark awakening, …

Finland lifts its ban on nuclear weapons in huge new blow to Putin ByTARYN KAUR PEDLER, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published:11:17 EDT, 17 June 2026|Updated:11:53 EDT, 17 June 2026 31 Viewcomments Finlandhas passed laws that lift a ban onnuclear weapons, in a huge blow toVladimir Putin. The new legislation will allow nuclear arms to be imported, transported, supplied, and possessed on its territory as the Nordic nation confronts mounting security concerns over neighbouringRussia. The new law overturns a decade-old restriction dating back to the 1987Nuclear EnergyAct, which prohibited nuclear weapons from being brought onto Finnish soil. Under the new bill, which lawmakers voted by a margin of 125 to 61 on Wednesday, nuclear arms may now be moved freely in the name of national defence. However, the Finnish government stressed that it has no current plans to host nuclear weapons. Ministers said the move was necessary due to an increasingly 'unpredictable security environment' in the region. Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the previous law created an awkward position for Finland following its accession to NATO in April 2023. Following the vote, Hakkanen wrot…

Lithuania signals readiness for NATO nuclear deployment Lithuania could revisit its ban on weapons of mass destruction to host NATO nuclear arms, Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said in an interview with DW published on March 14. “We believe it’s necessary to assess the possibilities of amending Article 137 of the Lithuanian Constitution if our NATO allies propose concrete plans to deploy nuclear weapons or their components here, alongside reviewing other commitments,” she stated. Lithuania’s Article 137 currently prohibits weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on Lithuanian territory, but Šakalienė noted no such proposals have yet reached Vilnius. Ad Read also: Duda urges US to deploy nuclear weapons in Poland to deter Russia The remarks follow Polish President Andrzej Duda’s recent call for the United States to station nuclear weapons in Poland to deter Russia, a pitch he discussed with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg. Duda expressed confidence that President Donald Trump might greenlight moving warheads from Western Europe or the United States to Poland. Read also: Europe sidelines Washington in key Ukraine defense strategy meeting However, U.S. Vice President J.D. …

Finland amends laws to allow deployment of nuclear weapons facebook icon Finland’s parliament voted 17 June to repeal the country’s ban on nuclear weapons to remove any obstacles to the deployment of NATO bombs and missiles to the country, which has a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia. Overturning decades of official support for non-proliferation and disarmament, Finland is now helping to promote the deployment of nuclear weapons throughout Europe under conditions in which the major imperialist powers are recklessly escalating the war in Ukraine against Russia. The Session Hall of Finland's Parliament [Photo by Hteink.min - Own work / CC BY-SA 3.0 ] The right-wing government led by the National Coalition Party (NCP) and including the far-right Finns Party was joined by the opposition Center party to carry the vote with a majority of 125 for, to 61 against. On social media, Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen remarked ahead of the parliamentary vote, “By dismantling the Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives, we are aligning our legislation with that of our closest NATO allies.” He proceeded to denounce the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), ex-Stalinist Left Alliance (LA…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Eye on Russia: Lithuania moves to scrap nuclear… - inkl Lithuania is considering removing a constitutional provision that prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction on its territory, following remarks by the country's incoming prime minister who argued the restriction limits the country's ability to fully benefit from NATO's defence capabilities. Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now! "The geopolitical situation is getting worse. Our constitution was written when geopolitical circumstances were totally different," President Gitanas Nausėda said on Thursday after meeting with top officials and parliamentary faction leaders. Nausėda confirmed that nearly all parliamentary faction leaders agree the ban is outdated and should be scrapped. Nausėda mentioned that there were no immediate plans to store nuclear weapons in Lithuania, but that removing the provision would ensure the country was not constrained if security circumstances changed in the future. "It would be truly regrettable if we were to become a weak link or a 'gray zone' within NATO itself," he said. Prime Minister-designate Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the constitutional restriction s…

Lithuania moves to lift nuclear deployment ban - Defence24.com The decision was reached following a meeting between the President, the Speaker of the Seimas, the Prime Minister, and leaders of parliamentary factions. Nearly all political groups reportedly agreed to repeal Article 137 of the Constitution, which mandates a ban on the deployment of such weapons . “Opinions were practically unanimous. The leaders of nearly all factions recognised that Article 137 has become outdated and should not be amended, but simply removed,” Nausėda told reporters. Disagreements among politicians reportedly concern only the procedure for implementing the changes. A representative of the Dawn of the Nemunas party advocated for organising a referendum on the matter, while the President believes the decision could be made by the Parliament itself. Nausėda explained that Lithuania remains effectively the only NATO member state that independently maintains such a ban. For comparison, Finland recently lifted a similar restriction previously enshrined in law. “It would be very unfortunate if we were to become a weak link or a gray zone within NATO,” the Lithuanian President said. Nordic nuclear shift: F…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Lithuania moves to lift constitutional ban on nuclear weapons World Lithuania moves to lift constitutional ban on nuclear weapons Lithuania is moving to erase a ban on nuclear weapons from its constitution, but the change would open legal space, not bring warheads to its soil. Pamella Goncalves July 2, 2026 at 6:40 AM ET 2 min read Lithuania moves to lift constitutional ban on nuclear weapons Lithuania moved to strip a nuclear weapons ban from its constitution as leaders in Vilnius reassessed how much legal flexibility a frontline NATO state should keep while Russia remains the dominant security threat on its borders. President Gitanas Nauseda said parliamentary parties had agreed to revisit Article 137, arguing that the country’s constitutional rules were written for a very different strategic era. Article 137 currently says weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases may not be located on Lithuanian territory. Nauseda has tied the push to a worsening geopolitical situation and said the country should not leave itself boxed in by rules that could become obsolete if the security picture changes again. He also said opinions among political leaders were “practically unani…

RT.com28 Jun 2026, 00:56 GMT+10 The new rules in Finland will permit the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on Russias doorstep Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act allowing nuclear weapons to be deployed on the country's territory. The Nordic nation's parliament supported lifting the long-standing ban earlier this month. The removal comes three years after Helsinki renounced its decades-long policy of military neutrality and joined NATO. Finland's accession into the US-led military bloc has led to serious tensions with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340 km border. "The president of the republic approved the proposal," according to the Finnish government website on Friday. It also said the new norms would come into force on July 1. Under the new rules, Finland will be able to import, transit, supply, and store nuclear weapons. Earlier this month, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the "Cold War-era total ban on nuclear explosives" was incompatible with the nation's new role as a member of NATO. The amendments "enable the full utilization of NATO's nuclear deterrence," he said ahead of the parliamentary vote, while…

Finland Lifts Its Nuclear Weapons Ban Amid Growing Russia Threat World 17.06.2026 22:00 World Newsroom Share Finland to Lift Ban on Hosting Nuclear Arms, Defence Minister Says The Finnish government plans to amend its 1987 law, allowing NATO nuclear weapons on Finnish soil during wartime World 17.06.2026 22:00 World Newsroom Share Citing an unpredictable security environment, Finland's government has repealed a decades-old ban on nuclear weapons on its soil, though it says it has no current plans to host any Μake us preferred on Google The Finnish government has approved new legislation repealing the country’s long-standing ban on nuclear weapons on Finnish soil, amid mounting security concerns over Russia. The new bill allows for the import, transport, acquisition, and possession of nuclear weapons under specific conditions related to national defense. The move marks a significant strategic shift, as the country’s legal framework had until now explicitly prohibited such activities. According to Bloomberg, the Finnish government justified the decision by citing the “unpredictable security environment” that has taken shape in the region due to Russia. It also clarified that there a…

Russia-Ukraine: Lithuania scraps constitutional ban on nuclear ... - CNBC Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Thursday said the Baltic country's top political leaders had agreed that a constitutional ban on the domestic deployment of nuclear weapons should be removed. The decision comes shortly after lawmakers in Finland, another NATO member that shares a border with Russia,votedto lift its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters shortly after the decision, Nauseda said Article 137 of Lithuania's constitution had become "outdated" and "obsolete," according to areportfrom state broadcaster LRT. He added that parliamentary and government leaders were "practically unanimous" in their support for removing the policy — as opposed to amending it — and that it would have been "truly unfortunate" if Lithuania had become the weak link within NATO. Lithuania's Article 137 hadexplicitly prohibitedthe deployment of weapons of mass destruction and the establishment of foreign military bases on Lithuanian territory. "The geopolitical situation is getting worse. Our constitution was written when geopolitical circumstances were totally different," Nauseda said, accordi…

Lithuania Moves to Eliminate Ban on Nuclear Weapons VILNIUS, July 2 ( Parliament Politics Magazine ) – Lithuanian parliamentary parties have reached an agreement to remove the country’s long-standing constitutional ban on nuclear weapons and foreign military bases. President Gitanas Nausėda announced the move on Thursday, citing a deteriorating geopolitical security climate that necessitates a modernization of the nation’s defense framework. The proposed legal overhaul targets Article 137 of the Lithuanian Constitution, which has prohibited the presence of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on national soil for over three decades. These restrictions were originally established following Lithuania’s independence from the Soviet Union to ensure the withdrawal of foreign forces. President Nausėda emphasized that the current constitutional language no longer aligns with contemporary security requirements. He noted that the country’s existing legal constraints were drafted during a vastly different era of regional stability. “The geopolitical situation is getting worse,” President Nausėda told reporters after meeting with parliamentary party leaders. The decision re…

⚡ BREAKING: Russia vows political and military-technical response after Finland lifts nuclear weapons deployment ban. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warns Finland risks becoming an instrument of NATO's nuclear ambitions. #NATO #Russia #Geopolitics #Defense