Lithuania’s parliament has given preliminary approval to an amendment that would lift the country’s constitutional ban on hosting nuclear weapons as the Baltic NATO country looks to strengthen its defenses against neighboring Russia. Lawmakers backed the proposal by 99 votes to 13 on Tuesday, with five abstentions, but the amendment must clear two further votes separated by three months before it can take effect. The first adoption vote is scheduled for October 6, with the final vote expected on January 12. At least 94 members of the 141-seat Seimas, the country’s parliament, must support the amendment in each round. Lithuania’s Constitution currently prohibits weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases from being located on the country’s territory. The proposed amendment would remove the provision entirely. MPs supporting the change said it would not amount to a decision to station nuclear weapons in Lithuania. Instead, it would remove a constitutional obstacle to the country’s participation in NATO’s nuclear deterrence and preserve the option of hosting such weapons should the security situation demand it.