Finland Plans to Lift Nuclear Weapon Ban, Russia Warns

[Global Times Special Correspondent Wang Yi] According to Finnish Broadcasting Company reports on the 6th, Finnish Defense Minister Häkämies announced on the evening of the 5th that Finland will lift its comprehensive ban on the import of nuclear weapons. He stated at a press conference that the country's nearly 40-year ban on nuclear weapons is no longer in line with Finland's requirements as a NATO member.

According to Finland's 1987 Nuclear Energy Act, the country strictly prohibits the import, manufacture, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosive devices on its territory, and this ban remains effective even in wartime. The Finnish government has officially proposed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act and related provisions of the criminal law, which will allow the import, transport, supply, and possession of nuclear weapons for defense purposes. Häkämies stated on the 5th that this amendment enables Finland to conduct military defense as part of NATO and fully utilize NATO's deterrence and collective defense.

At the same time, Häkämies emphasized that the transport of nuclear weapons to Finland is only permitted in cases directly related to Finland's military defense. However, he refused to provide specific examples of scenarios in which nuclear weapons might enter Finland, citing the confidentiality of NATO's nuclear policy, but stated that Finland does not seek to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory, and future NATO nuclear exercises will not involve the deployment of such weapons in Finland.

The BBC reported on the 6th that due to growing concerns over the increasing threat from Russia, Finland abandoned its decades-long policy of military neutrality in 2023 and officially joined NATO. Reuters reported on the 6th that the modification of the nuclear ban could open the door for the deployment of nuclear weapons on Finnish territory during wartime.

Russian presidential spokesman Peskov stated on the 6th that Finland's actions have heightened tensions in Europe and pose a potential threat to Russia. He told reporters, "Finland's actions increase its vulnerability. In fact, if Finland were to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory, it would begin to pose a threat to us. And once Finland threatens us, we will take appropriate measures."