Finland's parliament votes to lift decades-old ban on nuclear weapons in historic NATO defense shift
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Finland pushes to join NATO quickly

Finnish Ambassador to the U.S. Mikko Hautala discussed Finland’s NATO bid and rising tensions along the Russian border during an appearance on “Your World.”

In a significant defense policy change, Finland’s parliament voted Wednesday to remove a long-standing prohibition on nuclear weapons, a move designed to bring the country into closer step with NATO’s deterrence posture.

Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said the amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act passed with overwhelming support, describing it as a landmark decision that bolsters both Finland’s national defense and the broader security of the alliance.

“The Parliament approved the amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act with a strong 2/3 majority,” Häkkänen wrote in a post on X. “This historic reform strengthens the security of Finland and of NATO as a whole.”

Finland formally entered NATO in April 2023 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, abandoning its long-held policy of military non-alignment. The decision, intended to reinforce Finland’s security through collective defense, effectively doubled NATO’s land border with Russia.

EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius of Lithuania and Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen attend a press conference at Finland’s Ministry of Defence in Helsinki on Sept. 26, 2025. (MARKKU ULANDER/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images)

“The overall nuclear weapons policy has been one of the most challenging issues in the Ministry of Defence during this parliamentary term. Years of study, discussions with nuclear-weapon states and other allies, and assessments of how Finland’s security can best be strengthened in NATO,” Häkkänen said.

The measure repeals provisions in Finland’s 1987 Nuclear Energy Act that banned the import, production, possession and detonation of nuclear explosives.

If enacted, the legislation would allow nuclear weapons to be transported, supplied or possessed in Finland where the country’s military defense requires it.

The NATO emblem is displayed during the NATO Summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto)

According to Euro News, 125 deputies backed the government proposal, 61 voted against it and 13 abstained.

The bill now moves to the president for final approval.

“I thank all the Members of Parliament who supported our legislative proposal for their strong backing,” Häkkänen said. “Thank you to the defense administration professionals at home and abroad for their high expertise also in this project.”

Despite the bill passing, the proposal has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, who warned it could escalate tensions, make Finland a potential primary target, and break from regional norms, noting that several neighboring countries have rejected hosting or permitting nuclear weapons.

Finnish Army

Commander of the Finnish Army Lieutenant General Pasi Valimaki addresses Finnish conscript soldiers after a military exercise at Pori Brigade in Niinisalo, Finland, Dec. 9, 2025. (Anne Kauranen/Reuters)

The introduction of the proposed law also provoked a strong reaction from Russia last March, according to Reuters.

“This is a statement that leads to an escalation ​of tensions on the European continent,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“This statement adds to Finland’s vulnerability, a ​vulnerability provoked by the actions of the Finnish authorities. The fact is that by deploying ⁠nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, we take appropriate measures.”

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