Russia says it will respond if Finland hosts nuclear weapons, accuses Helsinki of stoking tension

• Summary

• Finland plans to reverse longstanding ban

• Kremlin: hosting nuclear arms would make Finland ​more vulnerable

• European nations rethink nuclear stance in light ‌of Ukraine war

MOSCOW, March 6 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Friday that Finland’s plan to lift a ban on hosting nuclear arms raised tensions in ​Europe and posed a potential threat to Russia, to which Moscow ​would respond if such a deployment took place.

Finland, ⁠which shares a long border with Russia, maintained neutrality ​during the Cold War but joined NATO in 2023 ​in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

On Thursday it said it was planning to lift a longstanding ban on having nuclear weapons ​on its territory in a move that could open ​the door to placing them there during times of war.

“This is a ‌statement ⁠that leads to an escalation of tensions on the European continent,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“This statement adds to Finland’s vulnerability, a vulnerability provoked by the actions ​of the Finnish ​authorities. The ⁠fact is that by deploying nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to ​threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, ​we take ⁠appropriate measures.”

Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the unpredictable actions of U.S. President Donald Trump, especially his stated aim ⁠of ​taking over Greenland, have caused European ​governments to rethink their security, including the role of nuclear arms.

Reporting by ​Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Mark Trevelyan Editing by Andrew Osborn

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

• Suggested Topics:
• Europe

Share

• X

• Facebook

• Linkedin

• Email

• Link

Purchase Licensing Rights