Finland Seeks to Lift Nuclear Weapons Ban to Strengthen NATO Deterrence

The Finnish government announced its plan to lift a long-standing prohibition on the presence of nuclear weapons on its territory, Reuters reported on March 5.

While Finland maintained a policy of neutrality throughout the Cold War era, the country joined the NATO military alliance in 2023. The historic shift was a direct response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“The amendment is necessary to enable Finland's military defense as part of the alliance and to take full advantage of NATO's deterrence and collective defence,” Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said during a press conference, according to Reuters.

The proposed legislative change will now move to parliament.

Since 1987, Finland's Nuclear Energy Act has strictly prohibited the import, manufacture, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives. Some in Finland have come to view the clause as an outdated restriction that would primarily benefit Russia in the event of a war.

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Finland’s move comes amid a broader continental shift, as growing security concerns and questions about the long-term US commitment to NATO prompt European countries to discuss enhancing their own nuclear deterrence. According to The Moscow Times, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that preliminary talks on nuclear cooperation have already taken place with the UK and France. Furthermore, The Economist reported that London and Paris have agreed to coordinate specific aspects of their nuclear posture.

Until recently, European nuclear deterrence remained almost exclusively the domain of the United States. Washington currently maintains approximately 100 B61 nuclear bombs across bases in five NATO nations: Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey. While these weapons stay under US control, they are designed to be delivered by host-nation aircraft upon American approval.

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World

Who Has Nuclear Weapons Today as Russia Undercuts the Nuclear Order

Jul 01, 2025 11:29

However, a fundamental change in strategic thinking is underway. Citing the persistent threat from Russia and concerns regarding US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy stance, the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter proposed the creation of a Northern European nuclear program in January. The ambitious proposal even suggested the possibility of German involvement in a localized deterrent.

Earlier, Alexey Likhachev, CEO of the Russian state nuclear giant Rosatom, has called for a rapid modernization of the country’s nuclear arsenal to counter what he described as “colossal threats.” He also emphasized that the current geopolitical climate necessitates an urgent upgrade of Russia's strategic defenses.

“In the current geopolitical situation, we are facing colossal threats to the existence of our country,” Likhachev stated. He further characterized the nuclear arsenal as both a “shiel”" and a “sword,” calling it the primary “guarantee of our sovereignty.”

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