Former Finnish MP claims nuclear weapons could have been placed in Finland under Niinist

Former member of the Finnish Parliament Ano Turtiainen believes that nuclear weapons could have been deployed in Finland under former President Sauli Niinist.

According to Turtiainen, even during his tenure in parliament in 2019–2023, the deployment of nuclear weapons in Finland was discussed as a settled issue.

MOSCOW, September 30 - RIA Novosti. Nuclear weapons could have been placed in Finland under former President Sauli Niinist, and the country’s joining the French nuclear deterrence initiative was necessary to hide an illegal act that had already been committed, says former Finnish parliament member Ano Turtiainen.

Finland joined France's nuclear deterrence initiative on 14 September. Niinisto served two presidential terms from 2012 to 2024.

“Probably, nuclear weapons were deployed in Finland during Niinist’s presidency. That is why Finland is now joining such initiatives. After some time, a decision will probably be made to deploy nuclear weapons in Finland. In this way, they are trying to hide an illegal action that has already been committed,” Turtiainen said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

The ex-deputy added that even during his stay in parliament in 2019-2023, people were already talking about the deployment of nuclear weapons in Finland as a resolved issue.

“This may have been the reason why, while I was in parliament, the obron committee was disbanded and then re-formed, and thus I lost my place on the committee,” Turtiainen said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in March that the country was entering a period of "advanced" nuclear deterrence. As part of the new approach, Paris will increase the number of nuclear warheads, and European countries will be able to participate in joint deterrence exercises. In addition to Finland, nine European countries have joined the initiative.