Latvia may host NATO nuclear weapons

Latvia is ready to host nuclear weapons on its territory if NATO makes a collective decision to that effect and if such a need arises, the republic's president, Edgars Rinkevics, stated.

"If the need arises and a corresponding collective NATO decision is made, nuclear weapons will be deployed in Latvia," Rinkevics told the local agency LETA.

Rinkevics emphasized that the Latvian constitution contains no ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons. "Our laws contain no legally established obstacles to the deployment of nuclear weapons in Latvia," the head of state said.

He recalled that in 2003, during the period of Latvia's preparation for joining NATO, every member state of the bloc confirmed the absence of restrictions on the implementation of the full mechanism of NATO collective security, including participation in the nuclear deterrence system. At the same time, Rinkevics emphasized that at present no specific discussions are being held regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons in Latvia.

The Financial Times newspaper, citing sources, reported in early June that the United States is discussing the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in additional European NATO countries, which would make it possible to station dual-capable aircraft able to carry out nuclear strikes. According to the publication, a number of Baltic states and countries on NATO's eastern flank, including Poland, are interested in the proposal to station the aircraft.