Sergey Karaganov, academic supervisor at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE University, has warned that the spread of nuclear weapons in Europe would trigger an extremely harsh response from Russia.

Speaking at a round table titled «Strategic Stability and Strategic Deterrence in a Multipolar Nuclear World," Karaganov said Russia would have to commit itself to destroying countries where such weapons appear.

He stressed that this warning applies first of all to Germany, which, in his view, should not seek the status of the world’s strongest army. Karaganov also argued that Finland must abandon any plans connected with acquiring nuclear weapons.

The political scientist added that a country like Finland should not even consider possessing nuclear arms or placing them on its territory.

On June 26, Finnish President Alexander Stubb approved amendments to the country’s Atomic Energy Act. The updated document introduced exemptions allowing the import of nuclear weapons into Finland for the purposes of the country’s military defense, the joint defense of the North Atlantic Alliance or other defense cooperation.