Finnish President Stubb signs law allowing nuclear weapons storage in the country

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has signed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act that allow the import and transit of nuclear weapons through the country. The law takes effect on July 1 and lifts the existing ban on such operations. Earlier, the Finnish parliament supported the bill, which permits importing, transporting, supplying, and storing nuclear weapons in the country if necessary for national defense. This legislative act brings Finland's rules on nuclear weapons closer to those of other NATO members after the country joined the alliance in 2023. European governments are reviewing deterrence policies amid uncertainty about Russia's intentions and doubts about the long-term reliability of U.S. security guarantees. The vote in the Finnish parliament followed heated debates. Some opposition parties challenged the government's plans, arguing that the ruling parties failed to achieve a broad parliamentary consensus in the process, as is typical for important foreign or security policy decisions.