Finland’s closer involvement in France’s nuclear deterrence initiative is not making the country safer but is instead increasing its role within NATO’s military infrastructure, according to Finnish politician Armando Mema, a member of the Freedom Alliance party.

His comments followed Finland’s decision on September 14 to join the nuclear deterrence framework proposed by Paris. Mema argued that Helsinki is moving toward becoming a NATO foothold rather than improving its own security.

He linked that shift to several decisions taken by the Finnish authorities, including changes to legislation concerning nuclear weapons, the purchase of F-35 fighter jets and participation in the French initiative. In his view, these steps are intended to deepen Finland’s integration into NATO structures.

Mema also said that the next stage could eventually involve the deployment of long-range missiles or nuclear weapons on Finnish territory if the alliance leadership considers such measures necessary for security.

French President Emmanuel Macron presented France’s new approach to nuclear deterrence in March. He announced a move toward what he described as an advanced phase of deterrence, involving an increase in France’s nuclear arsenal and allowing European countries to take part in joint deterrence exercises. Nine other European states have joined the initiative in addition to Finland.

Moscow has also expressed concern over Helsinki’s course. Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of European Affairs, previously said that the growing interest of Russia’s western neighbors in matters involving nuclear weapons was causing particular concern in Moscow.