Russia has warned that it will respond if Finland goes ahead with plans that could allow nuclear weapons to be stationed on its territory. The Kremlin said the proposal by Finland to lift a ban on hosting nuclear arms would raise tensions in Europe and pose a potential threat to Russia.

The warning came after Finland announced on Thursday that it is planning to remove a long-standing restriction on having nuclear weapons on its soil. If the ban is lifted, it could open the possibility of nuclear weapons being placed in the country during times of war.

Finland shares a long border with Russia and historically maintained neutrality during the Cold War period. However, the country joined the NATO military alliance in 2023 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a move that significantly changed the security situation in the region.

Reacting to Finland’s announcement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the move would increase tensions across the European continent. He warned that Russia would take steps if it believed its security was being threatened.

“This is a statement that leads to an escalation of tensions on the European continent,” Peskov told reporters.

He further said that the proposal could make Finland itself more vulnerable because of the decisions taken by its authorities.

“This statement adds to Finland’s vulnerability, a vulnerability provoked by the actions of the Finnish authorities,” Peskov said.

Peskov also argued that the possible deployment of nuclear weapons in Finland would directly threaten Russia.

“The fact is that by deploying nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, we take appropriate measures,” he said.

The debate around nuclear weapons in Europe has intensified in recent years as governments reassess their security policies. Russia’s war in Ukraine has led several countries in the region to reconsider defence strategies and their reliance on nuclear deterrence.

At the same time, wider geopolitical uncertainties have also contributed to these discussions. Concerns about global security and unpredictable international developments have pushed European governments to re-examine the role of nuclear weapons in protecting their territories and alliances.

Finland’s proposal to change its nuclear policy is part of this broader shift in security thinking across Europe. However, the Kremlin’s reaction shows that such moves could further strain relations between Russia and its neighbouring countries.