Finland joins French nuclear deterrence framework while retaining NATO role
Helsinki says nuclear weapons will not be stationed in Finland in peacetime and the arrangement does not replace NATO’s nuclear deterrence.
Finland has agreed to join France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative, formalising the arrangement through a strategic partnership signed in Helsinki by the countries’ foreign ministers.
The initiative provides for deeper consultation, joint exercises and the potential short-term deployment of nuclear-capable assets on allied territory. France’s president retains sole authority over the use of French nuclear weapons.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the initiative was primarily intended to strengthen European security. Finland has also made clear that nuclear weapons will not be stationed on its territory in peacetime.
Stubb said the arrangement had been discussed with the United States and NATO and would not replace the alliance’s nuclear deterrence. Finland joins Britain, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Denmark and Norway in the French cooperation framework.
A nuclear steering group is expected to be established in the coming months to oversee implementation. Estonia is separately discussing possible participation with France, but no agreement has been confirmed.
The move comes as European governments reassess security arrangements amid concern about Russia and uncertainty over the United States’ commitment to European security. Finnish authorities have also raised concerns over suspected Russian sabotage following an undersea telecommunications cable incident in the Gulf of Finland.
