Finland: European nuclear deterrence as an alternative to Washington is “unrealistic”
Amidst escalating debates within Europe regarding the future of defense security, Finland the idea of Europe sole responsibility for nuclear deterrence , as an alternative to the American umbrella, as "unrealistic" given the current circumstances. These statements reflect Helsinki's pragmatic stance on military alliances, particularly following its recent accession to NATO.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Haakkanen confirmed in a press statement on Tuesday that the belief that Europe can do without the United States' nuclear capabilities at the present time is pure fantasy, stressing the need to adhere to existing security arrangements that guarantee the stability of the continent.
Geopolitical context and European concerns
These statements come at a time of strategic anxiety in Europe, fueled by growing doubts about the continuation of US military support at the same level, especially given the internal political tensions in Washington and the possibility of future shifts in US foreign policy. This anxiety has prompted some European leaders to raise the issue of "strategic autonomy," including exploring the possibility of forming a joint European nuclear deterrent force.
In this regard, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, told the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that a serious discussion must be opened regarding the development of a European deterrent force. However, the military reality points to enormous challenges, as France and Britain are the only two countries in Europe with nuclear arsenals, and their combined capabilities do not match the massive American arsenal that forms the backbone of NATO's deterrence.
A firm American commitment to nuclear deterrence
For his part, Minister Hakanen reaffirmed confidence in the transatlantic alliance, stating, "We have full confidence in the agreement reached last year within NATO, which clearly stipulates that the United States is fully committed to the principle of nuclear deterrence to protect its allies." He noted that any additional European investment in defense is welcome, but it should be complementary, not a replacement.
He added, explaining: “If Europe intends to invest more in nuclear deterrence in France or the United Kingdom, this can only be positive for enhancing overall defense capabilities, but talk of replacing the American role is unrealistic at the moment,” noting the large gap in military and technological capabilities between Europe and the United States.
The cost of defense independence and NATO challenges
Strategically, experts believe that building an independent European nuclear umbrella would require decades and enormous financial investments that could strain the budgets of European countries already facing economic challenges. The NATO Secretary General warned at the end of January that Europe cannot defend itself alone without the United States.
The Secretary-General stressed that attempting to build a separate European defense alliance would cost the continent "billions" and lead to a dispersal of efforts, warning European parliamentarians: "In this scenario, you will lose the ultimate guarantee of our freedom and security, which is the American nuclear umbrella that has been the cornerstone of peacekeeping in Europe since the end of the Second World War.".
Finland, which shares a land border of over 1,300 kilometers with Russia, understands better than most the importance of effective deterrence. After decades of military non-alignment, Helsinki chose to join NATO to gain the guarantees of Article 5 collective defense, making it keen to avoid weakening the transatlantic bond with any proposals that might seem impractical.
