Finland's parliament votes to lift decades-old nuclear weapons ban

Key Points:

• Finland’s parliament voted to lift a decades-old ban on nuclear weapons by amending the 1987 Nuclear Energy Act, allowing nuclear weapons to be transported, supplied, or possessed in the country if required for military defense.
• The decision marks a significant shift in Finland’s defense policy to align more closely with NATO’s deterrence strategy, following Finland’s NATO membership in April 2023 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• The amendment was approved by a strong two-thirds majority in parliament, with 125 deputies in favor, 61 against, and 13 abstaining, and now awaits the president’s final approval.
• Opposition lawmakers criticized the move, warning it could escalate regional tensions and make Finland a primary target, while Russia condemned the proposal as an escalation that increases European tensions and threatens Russian security.
• Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen described the reform as historic and essential for strengthening Finland’s and NATO’s security, highlighting extensive consultations with nuclear-weapon states and allies during the legislative process.