The Finnish parliament approved a legislative change that lifts the ban on the import, transfer and possession of nuclear weapons in the country, in a move linked to the new security environment after Finland joined NATO. Although the government has clarified that it is currently not planning to host nuclear weapons, the decision is considered of strategic importance for the Alliance and relations with Russia.
Finland proceeded to adopt new legislation removing the ban on the import, transfer, supply and possession of nuclear weapons on its territory, a significant change in the country's defence policy amid increasing security concerns in the region and ongoing tensions with Russia.
The new legislation has overturned restrictions that have been in force for decades under the 1987 Nuclear Energy Act, which banned the transfer of nuclear weapons to Finnish territory.
With a two-thirds majority, the Parliament approved Finland becoming a nuclear-weapon state. The final Chapter of Finland's history was written today. Finland is now the primary target for Russia's nuclear weapons.
pic.twitter. com/RtOFlB7cKc— Suomalaiset kenraalit (@KenraalitSuomi) June 17, 2026
The relevant bill was approved Wednesday by parliament with 125 votes in favour and 61 against. On the basis of the new framework, nuclear weapons transfer will be possible for national defence purposes.
The Finnish Government has, however, rushed to clarify that there is currently no plan to install or host nuclear weapons in the country. According to the ministers, legislative change was considered necessary because of the increasingly 'unforeseeable safety environment' that is being formed in northern Europe.
Finland's Defence Minister, Andy Hakann, argued that the previous legal regime was creating difficulties after the country joined NATO in April 2023.
After the vote was completed, Hakann reported in a post on the platform X that "Parliament approved the amendment of the Nuclear Energy Act with a strong two-thirds majority" and described the reform as historic, arguing that it strengthens both Finland and NATO's security as a whole.
He noted that nuclear weapons policy was one of the most complex issues that the Ministry of Defence was called upon to manage during the current parliamentary term, following multiannual studies, consultations with nuclear forces and allies, as well as assessments on how to strengthen Finnish security within the Alliance.
Before the vote he had publicly appealed to Members, asking them to seriously assess which choice best serves the country's defence and security.
The stance of three opposition parties has provoked reactions. The Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the Left Alliance filed a joint objection against the bill and requested its rejection.
Hakanen responded that defence ministry services assessed the Left's proposals and concluded that they would weaken the country's defence and security. At the same time, he argued that the critics' arguments contained, as he said, findings that did not match the evidence presented in the security briefings.
As a member of NATO, Finland participates in the Alliance's collective defence system, which is based to a significant extent on nuclear deterrence as a fundamental element of the security strategy.
Legislative change means that Finland could in future host NATO nuclear weapons, further strengthening the Alliance's strategic presence near the Russian border.
The development is recorded at a time of increased tensions between Moscow and Helsinki, especially after the start of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Just last week, Russia began the construction of a new military base near the eastern border with Finland, in the first corresponding project implemented in the region after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
New aerial photographs showed about twelve barracks under construction on an area where extensive deforestation operations had taken place at the end of last year.
Military analyst and former Finnish intelligence officer, Marco Ecklund, estimated that the facility could in future host between 4,000 and 6,000 military personnel.
The construction base is located near about 1,335 km of the joint Finland and Russia border, which increases security concerns in the region, as both sides continue to strengthen their military presence.