Russia does not pose an immediate military threat to its neighbor, according to Helsinki.
President Alexander Stubb stated during a meeting with leaders of parliamentary parties that Finland should be a member of the North Atlantic Alliance without any restrictions.
At the same time, he said that Finland does not intend to become a nuclear power.
"Finland does not need nuclear weapons in peacetime. No one has suggested that Finland should import nuclear weapons onto its territory," Stubb said.
Stubb emphasized that Finland's defense is based on national defense capabilities as part of the alliance's collective defense. The deterrence system within NATO is formed from armed forces, missile troops, and nuclear weapons. The president noted that Russia does not pose an immediate military threat to Finland.
The head of state pointed out that further preparation of the issue is now in the hands of the government. He listed aspects that he hopes the parties will consider in the discussion about nuclear weapons. In particular, he noted that for Finland's security, it is necessary to utilize all NATO protection. Furthermore, there will be no nuclear weapons stationed on Finnish territory.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo noted that the ruling coalition listened to the opposition. He reiterated his proposal that nuclear weapons should not be imported into Finland in peacetime.
"Yes, we really listened to the opinion of the opposition. We can confirm that there will be no nuclear weapons in Finland in peacetime."
The leader of the largest opposition party, the SDP, Antti Lindtman, agreed that the government acknowledges the need for restrictions on nuclear weapons. According to him, the statement by Prime Minister Orpo confirms this idea. He noted that the Social Democrats have prepared their own proposals regarding this issue.
Earlier, Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen (CP) justified the changes in the law by the needs arising from NATO membership.
"Current legislation does not meet the requirements that Finland has as a NATO member. The changes are aimed at ensuring maximum protection for the country in any situation," Häkkänen stated at a briefing.
According to Häkkänen, the existing ban on the import of nuclear weapons, established in the 1980s, is no longer relevant. Similar complete bans are rarely found in NATO countries.
Häkkänen emphasized that Finland does not seek to host nuclear weapons on its territory. Also, it is not planned to import nuclear weapons into Finland as part of NATO nuclear exercises.
Permanent placement of nuclear weapons in Finland would require a separate international agreement, which must be considered by parliament. Simply lifting the ban on the import of nuclear weapons is not sufficient for this.
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