The bill on Finland’s accession to the NATO defense alliance is practically complete. It will be sent for referral within two weeks.
It does not contain any restrictions on the establishment of NATO bases on the territory of Finland, nor does it limit the presence of forces from the member countries of the defense alliance, according to Iltalehti and US Newsweek.
Commitment – no limitations
According to the sources, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen, in the membership talks with NATO in July, gave a commitment that Finland would not make limitations or national reservations about its NATO membership in its accession agreement.
People familiar with the matter say the bill would allow NATO countries’ nuclear weapons to pass through Finnish territory or be stationed there, as NATO’s pre-emptive deterrence against Russia ultimately depends on the nuclear weapons of the United States, Britain and France.
Sanna Marin: “Very important”
Prime Minister of Finland stated in EPN on Saturday evening when she confirmed that Finland does not exclude nuclear weapons on its territory.
– I think it is very important that we do not set those kinds of preconditions, or limit our room for maneuver, in terms of permanent bases or nuclear weapons, she said, adding that it is unlikely that nuclear weapons will be placed on Finnish soil.
Iltalehti writes that foreign and security policy sources state that Sweden will also not condition its NATO membership with any restrictions regarding the introduction of nuclear weapons.
Bought American fighter aircraft
Barely a year ago, Finland announced that it was buying about 60 American F-35 fighter jets instead of Sweden’s Saab Gripen. The Finnish F-35 is singled out as a possible carrier of nuclear weapons.
Placed before Christmas
On Sunday, US B-52 bombers and European fighter jets concluded NATO’s annual Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise in alliance airspace. These practiced handling the B61 bombs.
Information also recently emerged that the US is speeding up the modernization and deployment in Europe of the new version B61-12.
According to previous information, the United States would begin deployment in Europe next year, but according to American Politico deployment begins already in December. The new version is described as more accurate and can be equipped with warheads with different explosive effects.
Poland has also announced that the country wants access to the American nuclear weapons.
Watch the expert explain how Sweden can support NATO’s nuclear forces.