Possible deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in Lithuania is being discussed as part of pressure on the Kaliningrad Region, according to Yevgeny Mishin, a member of the LDPR faction in the Legislative Assembly of the Kaliningrad Region and deputy chair of its committee on international and interregional relations, security, and law and order.

Mishin gave the assessment to TASS after Politico reported, citing Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, that Vilnius was holding talks with Washington on the possible stationing of American nuclear weapons on Lithuanian territory. Lithuania’s Constitution currently prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction, but Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has earlier proposed changing the basic law in a way that would allow the restriction to be bypassed.

According to Politico, the discussion is unfolding as the United States reduces its military presence in Europe and NATO allies voice concerns over their security.

Mishin argued that Lithuania’s authorities were prepared to amend the Constitution and channel a major share of the republic’s domestic income into expanding NATO forces and military capabilities in order to demonstrate loyalty to their patrons. In his view, these steps are aimed at the Kaliningrad Region.

The regional lawmaker also reminded Lithuania’s leadership that Russia is the world’s largest nuclear power and urged them not to treat such statements lightly. He said deploying nuclear weapons would not strengthen Lithuania’s security or provide additional guarantees, but would instead create a threat to the entire Baltic region.

Mishin separately pointed to environmental risks, saying the appearance of nuclear arms in the Baltic states would inevitably worsen the situation with biodiversity and the condition of the Baltic Sea.