F
inland's government has taken a decisive step towards safeguarding its national security by introducing a draft bill aimed at curbing foreign nationals' access to the country's real estate market. The proposed legislation, submitted to lawmakers on Thursday, targets individuals with ties to Russia, whose aggressive actions have raised concerns about potential threats to Finland's critical infrastructure.

    The move is a direct response to growing unease among politicians and citizens over property deals linked to Russia, which has been a long-standing concern for the Nordic NATO member. By restricting real estate purchases by Russian nationals, Finland aims to prevent hostile influence from being exerted through these transactions.

    Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen emphasized that the bill's primary objective is to limit Russians' ability to acquire property in Finland, citing the country's history of strained relations with Russia as a key factor. As tensions between Russia and Europe escalate, real estate holdings can be exploited for malicious purposes, posing a significant threat to national security.

    Finland has already taken proactive measures to address this issue, introducing legislation that allows the state to intervene in real estate transactions on national security grounds. The country has successfully blocked several purchases under this law and is now considering whether it can confiscate existing properties held by Russian nationals on similar grounds.