Lithuania eyes permanent US military base, Russia warns of escalation

Lithuania stated on Tuesday, October 7, 2026, its readiness to cover the costs of hosting a permanent US military base. Concurrently, a constitutional amendment to lift a ban on weapons of mass destruction, potentially allowing NATO nuclear weapons in Lithuania, passed its first reading in the Lithuanian parliament. Russia warned that any such deployment would further escalate tensions and necessitate retaliatory measures to ensure its national security.