There Lithuania positions itself firmly in the face of growing threats on its borders. President Gitanas Nauseda recently expressed his desire to see nuclear weapons fromNATO deployed on Lithuanian territory. This statement follows similar discussions between NATO leaders, where the Polish president Andrzej Duda reiterated his proposal to welcome American armaments, recalling the tensions with Russia.
At the heart of this deterrence strategy, Nauseda stressed that the nuclear deployment was not intended to be threatening but to serve as a counterweight to Russian military movements on NATO’s eastern borders. This announcement comes as Lithuania and Poland observe increased militarization of Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
The implications of this strategy were discussed during a meeting between the two presidents during military maneuvers in the Suwalki corridor. This region, a narrow strip between Poland and Lithuania, is seen as a vulnerable point in the Alliance in the face of Russian adversity. The military exercises featured 1,500 NATO soldiers, highlighting the strategic importance of this sector.
In addition to political discussions, Lithuania is actively engaged in strengthening its defense. The upcoming installation of a 155 mm caliber shell production plant by the Rheinmetall group demonstrates this rise in power. In parallel, Germany has begun the deployment of a permanent brigade, with the first soldiers already on site to organize the arrival of additional troops.
This commitment is also reflected in international cooperation, with The Netherlands who plan to temporarily deploy Patriot air defense systems in Lithuania. These initiatives, an integral part of NATO’s defense effort, aim to create a strong barrier against any potential aggression.
Lithuania’s move, in response to growing external threats and regional volatility, illustrates an Eastern Europe increasingly ready to adopt robust defense measures. By proposing itself as a new site for the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons, Lithuania seeks to ensure its security and assert its role in the collective defense strategy of the Atlantic Alliance.
