Finland is considering allowing the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons on its territory as part of its defence cooperation with NATO, German tabloid Bild reported, citing proposed legislative changes that would enable such a move.
The amendments to Finnish law—required to permit deployment—are expected to be considered and implemented by parliament as soon as possible, according to the report.
Earlier in March, the Finnish government said it intended to revisit the current ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons. Finland’s Ministry of Defence has said existing "legal obstacles" must be addressed for the country to fully participate in NATO’s defence mechanisms.
The debate comes alongside Finland’s ongoing procurement of U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets, a decision taken in 2021, with 64 aircraft scheduled for delivery. The jets are capable of carrying out missions that include the deployment of nuclear weapons. Their arrival could significantly increase the strategic role of the Finnish Air Force within NATO.
There has been no official response from Russia to the latest developments. However, Kremlin officials have previously warned against such a step.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said in the past that the deployment of nuclear weapons in Finland could be seen as an "escalatory" development for Europe.
Russia’s ambassador to Helsinki, Pavel Kuznetsov, has also stated that even the hypothetical possibility of nuclear weapon deployment will factor into Russian military planning.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
