Afət Ziyadqızı
Finland’s decision to join France’s “advanced nuclear deterrence” initiative is being viewed as a significant step in the region’s security architecture.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the defense authorities of the two countries said this in a joint statement.
According to the statement, Finland has become the 10th country to join the initiative. The concept, proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, seeks to expand strategic dialogue and military cooperation on nuclear deterrence in Europe without the direct involvement of the United States. The initiative envisages joint exercises involving partner countries, the temporary deployment of aircraft belonging to France’s Strategic Air Forces on the territory of allied countries, and security consultations.
Helsinki has officially stated that it does not plan to permanently station nuclear weapons on Finnish territory during peacetime. Finnish President Alexander Stubb stressed that the move is primarily intended to strengthen European security and does not replace NATO’s nuclear deterrence mechanism. France will retain exclusive national control over its nuclear arsenal. The United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Denmark and Norway had previously joined the initiative.
