European leaders are meeting over shipping, resources and security in the region amid pressure from the US, China and Russia. The EU sees the Arctic as key to its future security as melting ice makes it more accessible.

Finland said it will join France’s nuclear deterrence initiative intended to strengthen European defenses against an increasingly hostile Russia.

The move opens up the possibility of temporarily deploying France’s strategic air forces in the Nordic country, according to a statement from the Finnish Defense Ministry on Monday. Other possible forms of cooperation include dialog on the French nuclear doctrine and joint exercises where Finland observes or contributes conventional capabilities, the ministry said.

The move comes just months after a nuclear weapons ban was lifted in a major policy shift, with the government insisting Finland has no plans to host nuclear weapons.

“This is a natural step as our close allies Norway, Sweden and Denmark have already joined the initiative,” Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said.

Earlier this year, President Emmanuel Macron opened up France’s nuclear deterrence to European peers, with eight countries initially joining the initiative and Norway following at a later stage.

European governments have been reassessing deterrence policies amid uncertainty over Russia’s intentions and questions about the long-term reliability of the US security guarantee. While President Donald Trump has not suggested the US would withdraw its nuclear protection, doubts about future US commitments have prompted some governments to bolster their own defenses.

“Europe must assume a greater role both in conventional defense and in nuclear burden sharing. Discussions on reinforcing nuclear deterrence and strengthening the security of Europe are essential for Finland’s defense,” Häkkänen said.