Latvia ready to host NATO nuclear weapons if Alliance decides, president says

Latvian president says Latvia ready to host NATO nuclear weapons if Alliance decides

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said Latvia would host nuclear weapons on its territory if NATO collectively decides such a deployment is necessary, while stressing that no concrete negotiations on deployment are currently underway. He noted Latvian law contains no barriers to hosting such weapons and described Latvia as already under NATO's nuclear umbrella provided by the US and UK.

Key points

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said Latvia would host nuclear weapons if NATO collectively decides to deploy them.
Rinkēvičs stated no concrete negotiations on deploying nuclear weapons in Latvia are currently taking place.
He said Latvian law contains no legal barriers to hosting nuclear weapons.
Rinkēvičs recalled that in 2003, prospective NATO members assured the Alliance of full participation in nuclear deterrence.
He said Latvia is already under NATO's nuclear umbrella, provided by the US and the UK, with the UK part of the Alliance's nuclear deterrence system.
The UK has proposed extending nuclear deterrence protection to Joint Expeditionary Force members, including the Baltic states and Nordic countries.
On September 22, Lithuania's Seimas backed a constitutional amendment in first reading to remove the ban on hosting weapons of mass destruction.
On September 30, Moscow warned NATO of possible nuclear weapons use if Alliance actions isolate the Kaliningrad region; NATO rejected the warning.

Why it matters

Rinkēvičs's comments signal that a frontline Baltic NATO member is publicly prepared to host Alliance nuclear weapons if a collective decision is taken, despite no active negotiations. They point to a wider shift among Baltic and Nordic states on nuclear deterrence posture in response to perceived threats from Russia, and coincide with Lithuania's move to remove its constitutional ban on hosting weapons of mass destruction and Estonia's talks with France on a separate nuclear deterrence initiative.

What happened

At a press conference after meeting Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs addressed the UK's offer to extend nuclear deterrence protection to Joint Expeditionary Force member states. He said Latvia would host nuclear weapons on its territory if NATO collectively decides such deployment is necessary, but emphasized that no concrete negotiations on deployment are currently taking place. He pointed out that Latvian law contains no legal barriers to hosting nuclear weapons and that Latvia is already covered by NATO's nuclear umbrella, provided by the US and UK. He framed nuclear weapons as the most extreme deterrent measure but said they prevent an aggressor from unpredictable or large-scale actions. He also recalled the 2003 commitments prospective NATO members made regarding full participation in collective security, including nuclear deterrence.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian outlets frame the story around a NATO frontline state's readiness to host nuclear weapons, emphasizing the Baltic security context and the collective NATO decision-making process. The reporting places Rinkēvičs's remarks alongside regional moves such as Lithuania's constitutional amendment and the broader UK-JEF nuclear proposal, presenting Latvia's position as part of an emerging Baltic and Nordic shift in nuclear deterrence posture.

Background

Latvia's constitution contains no prohibition on deploying nuclear weapons; Lithuania is currently amending its constitution to remove such a ban. In 2003, prospective NATO members assured the Alliance of full participation in its collective security mechanism, including nuclear deterrence. Latvia is already under NATO's nuclear umbrella provided by the US and UK. The Joint Expeditionary Force includes the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. On September 30, Moscow officially warned NATO of possible nuclear weapons use if Alliance actions lead to the isolation of the Kaliningrad region, and NATO rejected the Russian accusations. Estonia is conducting talks with France on possible participation in a French initiative to strengthen nuclear deterrence in Europe.

Statements

Edgars Rinkēvičs

Latvia would host nuclear weapons if NATO collectively decides on such a necessity, while no concrete negotiations on deploying nuclear weapons in Latvia are currently taking place.

Edgars Rinkēvičs

Latvian law contains no legal barriers to the deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory, and if NATO collectively decides it is necessary, nuclear weapons will be deployed in Latvia.

Edgars Rinkēvičs

Without the protection provided by nuclear weapons, several conventional wars would have broken out in Europe long ago.

Edgars Rinkēvičs

The use of nuclear weapons is the most extreme measure but deters an aggressor from unpredictable or large-scale actions.

Edgars Rinkēvičs

Latvia, as a JEF participant, positively assesses any additional security measures and elements, and the UK's offer is part of overall NATO policy.

Edgars Rinkēvičs

In 2003, each country preparing to join NATO assured the Alliance it would have no restrictions on implementing the full NATO collective security mechanism, including participation in the nuclear deterrence system.

Sources · 2