Decisions on France’s nuclear plans must involve EU and NATO - Lithuanian PM

VILNIUS - Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene on Wednesday said any decisions regarding France’s plans to increase its nuclear warheads and offer Europe its nuclear umbrella must be made in coordination with both the European Union and NATO.

"We are an EU country, a true member, and we are members of the NATO alliance. And if we are talking about security issues in a broader sense beyond Lithuania’s borders, we must not forget that we are in these two families. Therefore, all decisions must be made when there is compatibility with both the EU and NATO," Ruginiene told reporters.

She made the remarks when asked if she saw a divergence of opinions on this issue between Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys and President Gitanas Nauseda.

On Tuesday, Nauseda emphasized that Paris’s plans complement NATO’s nuclear umbrella, noting that it cannot replace the deterrence provided by US.

"France’s plan is currently France’s plan. Yes, they want to extend it to other states, involving all interested parties, and I believe that we will also have consultations with French experts on this matter sooner or later," he said.

Budrys told reporters that Lithuania should not "shy away from the topic itself," adding that without deployed capabilities in the region, Lithuania is much weaker even in the deterrence phase than if it had nuclear capabilities.

Ruginiene added that during a visit last week to NATO headquarters in Brussels, she heard that the Alliance is strengthening and that there is no divergence of opinions between the United States and Europe.

"There is no divergence of opinions between the two strategic partners in Europe and America. And both strategic partners see one direction, and we must trust the Alliance we are in and coordinate and plan actions together," the prime minister stated.