RUSSIA WARNS LITHUANIA OF NUCLEAR CONSEQUENCES OVER ANY NUCLEAR DEPLOYMENT

Russia has issued a fresh nuclear warning to Lithuania, escalating tensions between Moscow and the Baltic nation over the possibility of nuclear weapons being deployed on Lithuanian territory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reportedly said Lithuania would come within the range of Russia’s nuclear weapons if it decided to station a nuclear arsenal on its own soil, adding another layer of tension to already strained relations between Russia and NATO members in Eastern Europe.

The warning comes as Lithuania continues to strengthen its defence posture amid concerns about Russia’s military activities in the region. As a member of NATO, Lithuania is covered by the alliance’s collective defence commitment, while its geographical position near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus makes it a particularly sensitive part of NATO’s eastern flank. Moscow has repeatedly criticised the military presence and activities of NATO countries close to its borders.

Peskov’s comments were made in an interview with Russian state-controlled television and reflect Moscow’s broader position that the deployment of nuclear weapons by a neighbouring state would create a direct security threat. Russia has increasingly used nuclear rhetoric in its confrontations with Western countries, particularly over the war in Ukraine and the growing military cooperation between NATO members.

Lithuania, meanwhile, has been among the European countries calling for stronger measures to counter what it considers growing threats from Russia. The Baltic states have increased defence spending and military preparedness while working closely with NATO allies. The possibility of a wider confrontation between Russia and NATO remains a major concern across Europe, particularly as tensions continue to rise around the Baltic region.

The latest warning does not mean that a nuclear attack on Lithuania is imminent, but it highlights the seriousness of the security tensions between Moscow and the Baltic states. Any decision by Lithuania to host nuclear weapons would likely trigger a strong response from Russia and could further intensify the already difficult relationship between Moscow, NATO and European countries supporting stronger regional defence measures.