Moscow vows effective measures in response to Finland’s nuclear weapons policy change

Russia is promising countermeasures after Finland formally opened the door to hosting nuclear weapons on its soil. The Kremlin’s response marks the latest chapter in a rapidly deteriorating security dynamic along Europe’s northeastern flank. Finland’s parliament voted 125-61 in mid-June to amend the country’s Nuclear Energy Act, stripping away a long-standing prohibition on nuclear weapons. President Alexander Stubb signed the legislation on June 26, and it took effect on July 1. Moscow has been loudly unhappy about it ever since. From neutral neighbor to nuclear-ready NATO ally Finland joined NATO in April 2023, ending roughly 75 years of non-alignment. The nuclear policy shift represents a second, arguably more provocative, step in that same direction. The amended law doesn’t mean Finnish cities are about to sprout missile silos. Finnish leaders have been explicit that there are no immediate plans for the permanent stationing of nuclear arms. The legislation retains prohibitions on manufacturing nuclear explosives. What it does allow is defense-related nuclear weapon handling, essentially giving Finland the legal framework to participate in NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements if ...