Finland said it has no intention to deploy nuclear weapons, even as NATO member
Finland intends to remain a nuclear-free state and has no plans to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory, even as a NATO member – as noted by Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen in an interview with the Ilta-Sanomat newspaper, TASS reports
“There are no prerequisites for nuclear weapons being stored or deployed in new places,” the defence chief said, adding that NATO has no plans in principle to deploy nuclear weapons in new countries beyond those that already have them.
Nevertheless, the Finnish Defence Minister noted that Finland will not interfere with the implementation of NATO’s nuclear strategy. The newspaper notes that, in theory, the military bloc could use the territory of the country to deliver nuclear weapons to the target. “I will not speculate on different scenarios, but in general it is clear that Finland should not, on its own initiative, introduce any restrictions on NATO’s nuclear deterrence,” Antti Häkkänen said.
Finland officially joined the North Atlantic Alliance on April 4th this year.
