Nordic leaders rule out nuclear weapons deployment at home

Prime ministers from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Canada met in Oslo on Sunday to discuss Arctic security and European deterrence, emphasizing nuclear policy in the region, as per Helsinki Times.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reaffirmed that no nuclear weapons will be stationed on Norwegian territory.

Similarly, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that Sweden will maintain its longstanding policy of not hosting nuclear arms in peacetime, while Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed plans to deepen Denmark’s role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence through closer cooperation with France.

Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said her country recently approved the use of nuclear-powered submarines but does not intend to alter its nuclear weapons policy.

Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasised that Finland is not seeking nuclear weapons and NATO has no plans to deploy them on Finnish soil. He added that the country aims to align its legislation with other Nordic states and expressed interest in France’s proposal to extend its nuclear umbrella for European security. Orpo described the initiative as positive and said Finland is exploring how it could strengthen Europe’s nuclear deterrence.

The discussions followed a proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron to expand France’s nuclear umbrella and increase joint exercises with European allies. Sweden and Denmark have already held talks with France regarding potential cooperation, while all Nordic leaders stressed that the focus remains on strengthening NATO deterrence without stationing nuclear weapons on their territories.

By Khagan Isayev