Finland votes to lift nuclear weapons ban

Finland’s parliament has voted to end a decadesold ban on nuclear weapons, marking a significant change in the country’s defense policy as it continues to align more closely with NATO. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen called the amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act a historic reform after it passed with a twothirds majority. The change would remove longstanding restrictions on the import, production, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives. Finland joined NATO in 2023 after Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine, and officials say the new measure is intended to strengthen deterrence and national security. The bill now goes to the president for final approval, while some opposition lawmakers have warned that it could raise tensions and make Finland a more likely target.