Latvia could host nuclear weapons if NATO collectively approves deployment
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Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs (Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
Latvia could host nuclear weapons on its territory if the
need arises and NATO collectively approves the move, though no specific talks
on such a deployment are underway, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said in
remarks reported by Delfi
on Oct. 1.
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.
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