Russia has responded critically to Finland's government's plan to lift the total ban on nuclear weapons. Andrei Kolesnik, a member of the Russian State Duma's defense committee, remarked that such a legislative change would present a 'direct threat' to Russia, suggesting that if Finland allowed the transit of nuclear weapons through its territory, it would not merely signal a new phase of escalation, but rather an outright danger to the Russian Federation. Kolesnik emphasized that the increase in military tensions and actions towards Finland would be closely monitored by Russia, warning that the possibility of military actions against Finland is on the rise if the situation changes.

Furthermore, Nikolai Novik, an expert interviewed by the state-owned Russian news agency TASS, claimed that Finland's government appears to be eager to shake off its status as a secondary member of NATO. He suggested that Finland aims to assert itself more actively in military alliances, responding to potential threats from Russia. This indicates a significant shift in Finland's defense strategy and reflects the heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly following Russia's actions in Ukraine and its growing military assertiveness.

The remarks from Russian officials highlight the complex and sensitive nature of Finland's security decisions in the wake of regional instability. As Finland navigates its relationship with NATO and the security challenges posed by Russia, any changes in military policies are likely to be met with strong reactions from Moscow, further complicating the security dynamics in the Nordic region.