Helsinki, Finland – Finland has decided to join France’s “advanced” nuclear deterrence initiative. This makes it the tenth European partner in the initiative, which aims to strengthen defense cooperation and deterrence in Europe while maintaining full French national control over nuclear weapons.
Security cooperation and reaffirmation of the NATO umbrella
France and Finland announced their intention to form a nuclear guidance group in the coming months to begin implementing joint cooperation between the two countries.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized that the initiative primarily aims to strengthen European security and prevent escalation. He also stressed that it does not represent a replacement for NATO’s nuclear deterrent. He clarified that his country has no intention of allowing the deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory during peacetime.
Expanding the deterrence umbrella and sending messages to Russia
This move comes as part of France’s modernization of its nuclear deterrence doctrine to expand strategic consultations and exercises with allies. Several countries are participating in this initiative, most notably Britain, Germany, Poland, and Norway. Finland thus becomes the tenth member of the initiative.
The move is particularly significant for Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer land border with Russia. It is expected to provoke political displeasure from Moscow, despite previous legislation passed by the Finnish parliament easing the comprehensive nuclear embargo.
