HELSINKI: The Finnish Ministry of Defense said on Thursday that NATO’s new member, Finland would take part in the military alliance’s nuclear planning and support operations. In a historic security policy shift following decades of military non-alignment, Helsinki became the 31st member of NATO on April 4, replying to neighboring Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Finland will Attend NATO’s Nuclear Planning: Defense Ministry
When joining, the government of Finland decided that it would not allow the stationing of nuclear arms on its soil but did not set other restrictions for the country’s membership.
DG for Defense Policy Janne Kuusela told Reuters that Finland would participate in the work of NATO’s nuclear planning group and could join support functions for the alliance’s nuclear operations outside its country.
Janne Kuusela, “Nuclear arms have a key role in the deterrence and defense built by the NATO alliance. We, too, will also enjoy the safety from them and therefore, it is a positive aspect for Finland to take part in full in different means,”.
Among NATO nations, only France has opted out from attending the nuclear planning group, opting to standby in decision-making about its own nuclear arms to itself.
