Russia will be forced to retaliate potential deployment of NATO base, nuclear arms in Lithuania

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the potential deployment of a NATO military base or nuclear weapons in Lithuania would inevitably be seen by Russia as a step toward raising tensions.

Commenting on a vote by Lithuania’s parliament to advance a constitutional amendment that would remove a ban on deploying nuclear weapons on the country’s territory, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing that the move cannot be viewed as “anything other than a step toward escalating tensions.”

“Neither of these moves will contribute to stability and predictability on the European continent. On the contrary – and to our regret – they will mark yet another significant escalation of tensions,” Peskov said.

He added that Russia will, consequently, be compelled to take “all necessary measures to guarantee its own security.”

The remarks come as the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, voted earlier Tuesday to advance a constitutional amendment that would remove a ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons on the country’s territory.