Nato member Finland lifts its ban on nuclear weapons in huge new blow to Putin

Finland has passed laws that lift a ban on nuclear weapons, in a huge blow to Vladimir Putin.

The new legislation will allow nuclear arms to be imported, transported, supplied, and possessed on its territory as the Nordic nation confronts mounting security concerns over neighbouring Russia.

The new law overturns a decade-old restriction dating back to the 1987 Nuclear Energy Act, which prohibited nuclear weapons from being brought onto Finnish soil.

Under the new bill, which lawmakers voted by a margin of 125 to 61 on Wednesday, nuclear arms may now be moved freely in the name of national defence.

However, the Finnish government stressed that it has no current plans to host nuclear weapons.

Ministers said the move was necessary due to an increasingly 'unpredictable security environment' in the region.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen argued that the previous law created an awkward position for Finland following its accession to NATO in April 2023.

Following the vote, Hakkanen wrote on X: 'The Parliament approved the amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act with a strong 2/3 majority. This historic reform strengthens the security of Finland and of NATO as a whole. 

'The overall nuclear weapons policy has been one of the most challenging issues in the Ministry of Defence during this parliamentary term. 

'Years of study, discussions with nuclear-weapon states and other allies, and assessments of how Finland's security can best be strengthened in NATO. 

'I thank all the Members of Parliament who supported our legislative proposal for their strong backing. 

'Thank you to the defence administration professionals at home and abroad for their high expertise, also in this project.

Before the vote took place, Hakkanen wrote to MPs on X: 'I appeal once again to every member of parliament. I ask you to seriously assess, based on the information received, what is the best voting solution for the defense and security of the fatherland.

The Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the Left Alliance, however, submitted a joint objection to the bill prior to the vote.

'Of the opposition parties, the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the Left Alliance propose rejecting the proposal,' Hakkanen wrote in a previous X post.

'The Defence Administration has assessed what the Left's proposal would mean. 

'It would weaken Finland's defence and security. For this reason, we cannot support it.

'The justifications contain numerous statements and perceptions that are clearly incorrect in light of the information provided in the security briefings. I find this choice very peculiar.'

As a member of the Western military alliance, Finland is now part of NATO's collective defence framework, which relies heavily on nuclear deterrence as a cornerstone of its security strategy.

The legislative change means Finland could, in theory, host NATO nuclear weapons in the future, potentially giving the alliance a stronger strategic presence close to Russia's border.

The development comes amid rising tensions between Moscow and Helsinki in the years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Just last week, Russia began construction of a new military base near Finland's eastern frontier, marking the first such project close to the border since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

New aerial photographs revealed around a dozen barracks under construction after forest clearance work began late last year.

Military expert and former Finnish intelligence officer Marko Eklund said the installation could eventually house between 4,000 and 6,000 personnel.

The planned base is situated close to Finland's 830-mile border with Russia, raising fresh concerns about security in the region as both sides continue to strengthen their military posture.