Finland Joins France's Nuclear Defence Initiative

On Monday, Finland's President Alexander Stubb announced that Finland has joined France's nuclear defence plan, which was initially disclosed in March. This decision comes in response to U.S.

President Donald Trump's concerns regarding the U.S. security commitment to Europe and the implications of the Ukraine war. Stubb stated that the initiative would bolster Europe's responsibility for its own defence and help prevent escalation.

Under this plan, the French president retains sole authority to decide on the use of nuclear weapons, differing from NATO's shared nuclear planning. The programme includes provisions for joint military exercises, potential short-term deployment of nuclear-capable assets on allied territory, and enhanced consultations among participating nations.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen noted that Finland is following the lead of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, which joined the initiative earlier this year. Currently, ten countries are involved in this programme, and Stubb clarified that it does not replace NATO's nuclear deterrence and that Finland will not permit nuclear weapons on its territory during peacetime.