Vilnius:Lithuania's parliament has taken a significant step towards removing the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons. On Tuesday, lawmakers passed the first reading of an amendment that seeks to eliminate the prohibition on weapons of mass destruction from the country's constitution.

According to Anadolu Agency, the amendment received strong backing, with 106 members of parliament voting in favor, 18 opposing, and six abstaining.

The approval of this amendment could potentially allow the stationing of allied nuclear weapons in Lithuania, aligning the country more closely with its EU and NATO partners. A final vote on the amendment is set for January 12 and will require the support of at least 94 out of the 141 parliament members to pass.

Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas emphasized that removing the ban could enhance Lithuania's resilience and deterrence capabilities, suggesting that it would bring the country in line with other EU and NATO nations.

Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas highlighted the importance of deterrence, urging lawmakers to consider all available measures to bolster Lithuania's security. He noted that the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia in Ukraine has prompted these critical discussions.