Lifting restrictions on the deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania could turn the country into a NATO instrument for provocations against Russia, State Duma deputy Alexander Tolmachev told NEWS.ru. He described Vilnius’ course as a serious mistake.

Tolmachev argued that Lithuania’s actions would require closer attention from Moscow. In his view, the prospect of nuclear weapons being stationed on territory bordering Russia and an allied state would amount to an openly hostile step.

The lawmaker said Vilnius was effectively prepared to make its territory available to forces seeking provocations and a pretext for a confrontation with Russia, after which Moscow could be blamed for the resulting conflict. At the same time, he accused the Lithuanian leadership of disregarding the potential consequences of such a policy for the country itself.

Tolmachev also claimed that Western states were seeking to turn Lithuania into a potential military testing ground, while the Lithuanian authorities were prepared to expose their own population to risks associated with growing military activity by Europe and NATO. He questioned how independently Vilnius was making such decisions and why its leadership was pursuing a course that, in his assessment, could harm the interests of Lithuanian citizens.

The deputy further linked the deployment of NATO infrastructure to a loss of sovereignty and a reduced ability for states to determine their own policies. He argued that countries allowing Alliance facilities on their territory gained no benefits from doing so and described Lithuania’s course as far removed from the democratic principles that the Baltic states publicly claim to uphold.

Earlier, the Lithuanian parliament backed an initiative to amend a constitutional provision banning weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, from being stationed in the country. At one stage of consideration, the proposed amendment was sent to the relevant parliamentary committees for further review.