MOSCOW / HELSINKI, June 29, 2026 — A Russian State Duma lawmaker has issued a strong warning to Finland following Helsinki's decision to remove its decades-old legal ban on nuclear weapons, claiming Russia could "capture half of Finland in just a few days" if the country allows the deployment of NATO nuclear weapons on its territory.
The remarks come after Finland officially approved legislation permitting the deployment, transit, possession, and storage of nuclear weapons on its territory. The law, signed by President Alexander Stubb, will enter into force on July 1 and removes restrictions contained in Finland's 1987 Nuclear Energy Act.
The Russian lawmaker warned Finland not to permit NATO nuclear weapons on its territory, saying such a move would pose a direct security threat to Russia. He also claimed Finland was gradually becoming "a second Ukraine" because of its NATO membership and its latest defense policy changes.
The statement follows broader warnings from the Kremlin over Finland's closer alignment with NATO's nuclear deterrence framework.
Kremlin Warns of Countermeasures
Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized Finland's decision, saying the removal of the legal ban would increase tensions in Europe and threaten Russia's security.
"By placing nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland will begin to pose a threat to us. And if Finland threatens us, we will take appropriate measures," Peskov said during a daily briefing.
He said Finland's decision to permit the deployment of nuclear weapons under NATO arrangements would escalate tensions on the European continent and that Russia would respond if its security interests were affected.
Finland Says Law Supports NATO Integration
Finland's parliament approved the legislation by a 125-61 vote in mid-June, with President Alexander Stubb later signing the bill into law.
According to Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen, the amendments are intended to enable Finland to fully participate in NATO's collective defense and nuclear deterrence arrangements following the deterioration of Europe's security environment after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Finnish officials have emphasized that the legal changes do not mean NATO nuclear weapons will be permanently stationed in Finland during peacetime. Instead, the legislation removes legal barriers that previously prohibited the transport, possession, and storage of nuclear weapons if required under NATO operations.
Russia Strengthens Military Presence Near Finland
The exchange of warnings comes as Russia continues expanding its military presence along the 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Finland.
Defense analysts report that Moscow has established new military infrastructure, including a base at Novaya Vilga, which security experts say could eventually accommodate tens of thousands of Russian troops. Russian officials have previously stated that any deployment of NATO nuclear weapons in Finland would prompt reciprocal military measures.
Background
Finland joined NATO in April 2023, ending decades of military non-alignment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Helsinki has expanded defense cooperation with NATO allies and strengthened security along its eastern border.
The latest exchange of warnings highlights growing tensions between Russia and Finland over regional security. While Finland says the legislation is intended to improve interoperability within NATO and strengthen collective defense, Russian officials argue that allowing the deployment of nuclear weapons near Russia's border would significantly increase regional security risks.
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