Finland joins France’s nuclear deterrence push – POLITICO

PARIS — Finland is joining France's plans to cooperate more closely with other European countries on nuclear deterrence, the two countries announced Monday.

"Today, we took a new step forward as Finland joined the French forward deterrence initiative. The initiative is first and foremost about strengthening European security," Finnish President Alexander Stubb posted on X. "It reinforces Europe’s responsibility for its own defence and helps prevent escalation."

The Nordic country's decision is the latest example of Europeans rethinking their defense posture amid Russia’s escalating hybrid attacks across the continent and doubts about the reliability of U.S. security guarantees. Finland joined NATO in 2023 after decades of neutrality, and its embrace of closer European defense cooperation reflects how Russia’s war against Ukraine has reshaped Europe's security architecture.