Finland opens the door to nuclear weapons on its territory
Photo: Finnish President Alexander Stubb (Getty Images)
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act that will allow the import and transit of nuclear weapons through the country's territory, according to the Finnish Parliament's website.
According to the publication, the law will take effect on July 1 and will lift the current bans on such activities.
As a result, NATO allies' nuclear weapons could potentially be brought closer to Russia's borders.
What preceded this
It is worth recalling that on July 17, Finland's parliament passed a bill allowing the import, transport, transfer, and storage of nuclear weapons on the country's territory if required for national defense.
The decision was made as part of Finland's alignment with NATO standards following its accession to the Alliance in 2023, as well as against the backdrop of Russia's war against Ukraine.
The Finnish government said the changes are intended to strengthen deterrence amid an unpredictable security environment.
"With this proposal, we are strengthening Finland's defense and enabling the full use of NATO's nuclear deterrent as protection for Finland," Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said.
At the same time, the official added that Finland does not plan to station nuclear weapons on its territory.
President Alexander Stubb has also said that Finland should be a full-fledged NATO member without restrictions, but that the country does not plan to deploy nuclear weapons on its soil.
