The Lithuanian parliament has voted in favor of abandoning the ban on deploying nuclear weapons on the territory of the country. In order for the decision to enter into force, a second vote is needed, which will take place three months later. At the plenary session, 106 deputies voted for the cancellation of the constitutional article prohibiting the deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania, 6 abstained, and 18 voted against. "Abandoning the ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons eliminates the legal restrictions in the field of security, which distinguished us from other EU and NATO countries," stated the Speaker of the Seimas, Juozas Olekas. According to the decision of the Seimas, Article 137, which prohibits the deployment of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, in the territory of Lithuania is planned to be removed from the Constitution. The same article also prohibits the presence of foreign military bases. Meanwhile, Vilnius is now trying to get the USA to deploy such a military base on its territory. In order to accept the constitutional amendments, the Seimas must vote twice with a three-month interval. The innovation must receive the support of a qualified majority (at least 94 out of 141 deputies). The second vote is scheduled for January 12.