Latvia could host nuclear weapons if NATO collectively approves deployment

Rinkēvičs said Latvian law contains no legal ban on stationing nuclear weapons in the country. He recalled that while preparing to join NATO in 2003, Latvia confirmed its readiness to participate fully in the alliance’s collective security mechanisms, including nuclear deterrence.

“If such a need arises and NATO makes such a collective decision, nuclear weapons will be deployed in Latvia,” Rinkēvičs said. He stressed, however, that no talks are currently underway on actually stationing a nuclear arsenal in the country.

His remarks come amid discussions over strengthening nuclear protection for the Nordic and Baltic countries. Britain has proposed extending additional nuclear deterrence guarantees to members of the Joint Expeditionary Force, or JEF, which includes Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

Rinkēvičs stressed that nuclear deterrence remains an important element of European security. Nuclear weapons are a last resort, he said, but their presence deters a potential aggressor from launching large-scale military action.

NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group is the key body for consultations and decision-making in this area. All NATO allies except France participate, and decisions are made by consensus.

As NV reported, neighboring Lithuania is also moving to remove legal restrictions on the possible stationing of nuclear weapons. On Sept. 22, the Seimas backed a constitutional amendment in its first reading that would remove a ban on stationing weapons of mass destruction in the country.

Estonia, another Baltic country, is holding talks with France on possibly joining a French initiative to strengthen nuclear deterrence in Europe. Tallinn and Paris have not yet determined the specific format of their cooperation.

The discussions come amid intensifying Russian nuclear rhetoric. On Sept. 30, Moscow formally warned NATO that nuclear weapons could be used if alliance actions led to the isolation of Kaliningrad Oblast. NATO rejected Russia’s accusations and condemned threats to use nuclear weapons.