Finland’s parliament passes law to lift long-standing ban on nuclear weapons

Published June 17, 2026 12:38pm ET | Updated June 17, 2026 12:38pm ET



Finland’s parliament passed a law lifting its decadeslong ban on nuclear weapons after a push from President Alexander Stubb’s government.

Finland’s foreign policy since its loss in the Continuation War of 1941-1944 was distinguished by its strict neutrality, allowing it good relations with the Soviet Union, then Russia, and the West. As part of this tradition of neutrality, in 1987, it passed its Nuclear Energy Act, banning the import, manufacture, possession, or detonation of nuclear weapons on its soil. It effectively repealed the law on Wednesday, after the right-wing-controlled parliament voted 125-61 in favor of lifting the ban.

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