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Jun 17, 2026 Major2
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Finland Lifts Long-Standing Ban on Nuclear Weapons Amid NATO Integration

Finland's parliament voted 125-61 to lift the nation's long-standing ban on nuclear weapons, allowing for their transit and possession under NATO cooperation. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen called the move essential for national security, while ruling out permanent stationing. The legislation now requires presidential approval.





Quick Facts
Who
Finland's parliament
What
lifted the ban on nuclear weapons
When
Wednesday (June 17, 2026)
Where
Finland
- lifted the ban on nuclear weapons
- approved amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act
- permitted import, transport, supply, and possession of nuclear weapons for military defense
- repealed 1980s-era prohibition on nuclear explosives
- Finland's parliament
Finland's parliament voted on Wednesday to lift its decades-old ban on nuclear weapons, a significant shift in the country's defense policy as it deepens integration with NATO. The bill, approved by a vote of 125 in favor to 61 against, permits the import, transport, supply, and possession of nuclear weapons on Finnish territory when required for military defense. The legislation now awaits approval from the president.
Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen called the move "essential" for Finland's security, emphasizing that the country has no plans to permanently station nuclear arms on its soil. "With this proposal, we strengthen Finland's defence and enable the full use of NATO's nuclear deterrent as protection for Finland," Häkkänen posted on X ahead of the vote. In a follow-up statement, he described the vote as a "historic reform" that required years of discussions with allies and nuclear powers.
The decision repeals a national prohibition on the import, production, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives from Finland's Nuclear Energy Act, dating back to the 1980s. It also amends the criminal code to include exceptions to the ban on nuclear weapons. Finland, which ended decades of military non-alignment to join NATO in April 2023 in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, is now aligning its laws with the alliance's deterrence policy.
The proposal sparked debate in Finland, with opposition parties criticizing the country's pivot away from its long-standing anti-nuclear position. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said earlier in June that Finland is interested in a French-led nuclear deterrence scheme to bolster European security, though no decision has been made. In March, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a program under which France, the European Union's only nuclear-armed country, would use its atomic stockpile to enhance continental security.
Why This Matters
This decision signals a major shift in Nordic defense posture, directly affecting NATO's nuclear-sharing arrangements in Northern Europe. For readers, this means increased deterrence presence in the Baltic region, potentially altering travel and investment risk assessments for Finland and neighboring countries.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 17, 2026
WireFinland's parliament votes 125-61 to lift the ban on nuclear weapons; legislation awaits presidential approval