Finland to join French advanced nuclear deterrence project
Finland has decided to join the France-initiated project of so-called advanced nuclear deterrence.
This was stated in a joint statement by the leadership of the two countries, published by the Élysée Palace.
"Today Finland has made the decision to join the concept of 'advanced deterrence,'" the communiqué says. "In the coming months, a steering group on nuclear issues will be created, which will begin implementing this cooperation."
The text of the statement asserts that this step "does not contradict the international obligations of both countries." The Élysée Palace stated that this decision will open up opportunities for sending "strategic signals," and will also "make it possible to manage the escalation of a conflict at a level below the nuclear threshold."
The initiative of advanced nuclear deterrence in Europe does not imply collective defense obligations of the NATO type for the participating countries, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen stated in the meantime.
"All countries that join the French initiative will independently determine the extent of their participation. The French initiative differs from NATO's nuclear deterrence concept. The countries that join will not be assigned obligations similar to NATO's collective defense obligations," the minister's statement on the website of Finland's defense ministry says.
He added that France will not require other countries to participate in the costs of maintaining nuclear deterrence.
Meanwhile, Finland's Ministry of Defense stated that the French initiative does not contradict international agreements in the sphere of nuclear weapons control.
"The initiative does not violate the international obligations of the member countries. Key international agreements, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, will remain in force," the statement on the defense ministry's website says.
In turn, Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that his country, despite joining the French initiative, does not intend to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory.
"The French initiative does not replace or overlap with nuclear deterrence within the framework of NATO. Finland's primary task is to act as part of NATO and the European Union. Finland does not intend to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory in peacetime," he wrote on X.
In August, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in an interview with the Kyodo agency that Helsinki is interested in discussing the extension of the French "nuclear umbrella" to all of Europe. At the same time, she asserted that Finland does not intend to deploy nuclear weapons, despite recent changes to the country's legislation and the permission for the import and storage of nuclear material.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's intention to move to the concept of "advanced deterrence," which implies joint exercises with partner countries, as well as the deployment of elements of France's strategic forces on the territory of other countries of the European continent. The head of state also announced plans to increase the republic's nuclear arsenal, while Paris no longer intends to disclose the exact number of warheads.
Source: TASS
