Moscow, Russia. Russia said it would respond if Finland placed nuclear weapons on its territory, warning that such a move would make the Nordic country more vulnerable.
Kremlin response to Finland’s plans
The Kremlin reacted after NATO member Finland said it was planning to lift a longstanding ban on hosting nuclear weapons, a step that could allow such deployments during times of war.
“This is a statement that leads to an escalation of tensions on the European continent,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
He said the move would increase Finland’s vulnerability and described it as being provoked by the actions of Finnish authorities. Peskov said that deploying nuclear weapons on Finnish territory would mean Finland was beginning to threaten Russia, and said Russia would take appropriate measures if threatened.
European deterrence debate
Finland’s shift comes amid a broader reassessment of European deterrence, including France’s offer to extend the protection of its nuclear arsenal to other allies on the continent.
The changes have been driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine and by the behaviour of U.S. President Donald Trump, including his threat to take over Greenland, which has unsettled NATO allies.
Finland cites NATO nuclear planning
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, speaking to reporters during a visit to India, said the change was not due to any acute or sudden security threat, but aimed at ensuring Finland could participate fully in NATO’s nuclear planning.
Stubb said Finland did not want a nuclear weapon on its territory and was aligning itself with the policy of its Nordic neighbours.
Sweden’s stance
Sweden’s doctrine is to station no permanent foreign troops or nuclear weapons on its soil in peacetime, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said last week when asked about the possibility of Sweden hosting French nuclear arms.
How do you view Finland’s plan to lift its ban on hosting nuclear weapons in the context of NATO’s nuclear planning?
