Medvedev issues nuclear warning to Finland: "They've entered Russia's target list"

Finland's decision to lift its ban on hosting and bringing nuclear weapons into the country was met with a sharp reaction from Moscow. Dmitri Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and former President, targeted Finland in a statement posted on his social media account.

In his post on the X platform, Medvedev argued that Finland's decision had increased risks for the country rather than enhancing its security. The Russian official claimed that Finland is now on Russia's "nuclear target list."

Finland has lifted its ban on hosting nuclear weapons. What does this change for the Finns? It changes one small thing: their country is now on Russia's nuclear target list. Tears of joy, Finland — you've reached peak security!

The Finnish parliament had lifted the sweeping ban on nuclear weapons following Finland's accession to NATO in 2023, citing the need to align with the alliance's deterrence policy. The change entered into force on 1 July 2026.

The regulation, which had been in force in Finland since the Cold War era, prohibited the stationing and introduction of nuclear weapons in the country. Finland's accelerated NATO membership process — driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine — had brought about a significant transformation in Helsinki's defence and security policies.

Finland's steps toward full integration into NATO, with which it shares a long land border with Russia, are being closely monitored by Moscow. Medvedev's statement showed that tensions surrounding Northern European security are growing on a new front while the Russia-Ukraine war continues.