Lithuania advances constitutional change to allow nuclear weapons on its territory

Lithuanian lawmakers voted to advance a constitutional amendment that would lift the ban on hosting nuclear weapons, marking the first of two required votes; the final vote is scheduled for January 12, 2027. The move is intended to strengthen national security amid regional tensions, particularly given Lithuania's border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.

Why it matters. The change affects regional security dynamics in Eastern Europe, potentially altering NATO's strategic posture and prompting a response from Russia, which has warned of necessary countermeasures to ensure its own security.