HELSINKI — Finland has decided to join France’s nuclear deterrence cooperation initiative as European countries reassess their security arrangements amid growing concerns over Russia and uncertainty surrounding the United States’ long-term security commitments to Europe.
The decision was announced on Monday after the foreign ministers of Finland and France signed a new strategic partnership agreement in Helsinki, marking a further expansion of security cooperation between the two countries.
Finland also said it would participate in France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative, a framework aimed at strengthening cooperation among European countries around nuclear deterrence and security.
With Finland’s participation, the initiative’s European membership has expanded further. Countries already involved include Britain, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Denmark and Norway.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on social media that the initiative is intended to strengthen European security.
As part of the cooperation, Finland and France are expected to establish a nuclear-related steering group in the coming months to coordinate and develop cooperation on nuclear deterrence issues.
Stubb stressed, however, that cooperation with France would not replace NATO’s nuclear deterrence arrangements. He said Finland had held extensive consultations with the United States and NATO before deciding to deepen its nuclear-security cooperation with France.
The move comes as European governments consider ways to strengthen their own defence capabilities amid changing US positions on NATO and European security. Countries in eastern Europe, particularly those closer to Russia, have shown heightened interest in strengthening deterrence and security cooperation.
Estonia is also discussing nuclear-security cooperation with France. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told AFP that Estonia remains covered by NATO’s nuclear deterrence arrangements, while France is already contributing to its security through the deployment of French troops.
Under France’s system, the authority to decide on the use of French nuclear weapons rests with the French president. This differs from NATO’s broader collective framework for nuclear policy.
Countries participating in France’s initiative may also take part in joint military exercises, allow the temporary deployment of allied military assets capable of carrying nuclear weapons on their territory when necessary, and engage in closer consultations on security matters.
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