MOSCOW – Russia warned on Friday that it would respond if Finland hosts nuclear weapons, declaring the NATO member more vulnerable after Helsinki signalled it would lift a longstanding ban.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted sharply to Finland’s announcement, calling it an escalation of tensions on the European continent. “By deploying nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, we take appropriate measures,” he told reporters.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, speaking during a visit to India, clarified the policy shift is not due to any acute threat but to enable full participation in NATO’s nuclear planning. “We do not want a nuclear weapon on our territory,” he said, aligning with Nordic neighbours’ stances.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson last week outlined a similar peacetime doctrine barring permanent foreign troops or nuclear arms, but noted it would not apply in wartime. Both nations, historic neutrals, joined NATO in 2023 and 2024 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland shares a 1,340 km border with Russia.
The moves reflect a broader European deterrence rethink amid Russia’s four-year war in Ukraine and uncertainties over U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, including threats to seize Greenland. France’s Emmanuel Macron announced plans to expand its nuclear arsenal, inviting allies to joint exercises, and formed a nuclear steering group with Germany, prompting Russia to label it “extremely destabilising”.
Moscow has repeatedly issued veiled nuclear warnings to curb Western support for Ukraine.