Finland approves law allowing nuclear weapons on its territory

Finnish lawmakers have voted in favour of a bill that allows the import, transport, delivery and storage of nuclear weapons on Finnish territory if required for national defence.

The government said the change is aimed at strengthening deterrence amid an increasingly unpredictable security environment, Caliber.Az reports, citing Bloomberg.

The decision passed by 125 votes to 61.

“With this bill, we are strengthening Finland’s defence and ensuring the full use of NATO’s nuclear deterrence to protect Finland,” Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen stated.

The legislation brings Finland’s nuclear policy framework closer to that of other NATO members, following the country’s accession to the alliance in 2023.

European governments are revising deterrence policies amid uncertainty over Russia’s intentions and questions about the long-term reliability of US security guarantees.

Finland is also considering joining French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative to extend France’s nuclear deterrence across Europe, with political leaders in Helsinki expected to decide on the matter in the autumn.

The parliamentary vote followed heated debate, with some opposition parties arguing that the governing coalition failed to build the broad cross-party consensus typically expected on major foreign and security policy decisions.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov