NATO-Russia war soon? Finland joins France’s nuclear deterrence push near Putin’s Northern Flank

Finland has joined France’s “Forward Deterrence” initiative, deepening European nuclear cooperation as concerns over Russia grow. The move makes Finland the tenth European country to participate in France’s effort to strengthen Europe’s independent defence capabilities. The initiative could involve strategic consultations, deterrence exercises and potentially temporary deployments of French strategic air force elements, although Finland says it does not intend to host nuclear weapons in peacetime. France would retain sole control over its nuclear arsenal. The move comes as NATO’s northern flank faces heightened security tensions, raising questions over Europe’s nuclear posture and the future of deterrence around Russia.