Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals, Reporting by Anne Kauranen, Tom Little and Essi Lehto in Helsinki; and Andrew Gray, Kate Abnett, Jan Strupczewski and Sabine Siebold in Brussels; writing by Angus MacSwan, Mark Heinrich and Patricia Zengerle, editing by Nick Macfie, Richard Chang and Rosalba O'Brien, Air defences shoot down 15 of 18 missiles launched at Ukraine in dead of night, Oil depot fire part of Ukraine's preparation for counter-offensive - military, Ukrainian defenders oust Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut - Ukraine general, Pope says Vatican involved in secret Ukraine peace mission. And I think what [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan wants to do now is get some face time in this issue -- in what in Finland we call "night milking," meaning he wants to see what he can get out of this. And if you go down souththat is where the major Baltic Sea forces of Russia are, at Kaliningrad, close to Poland. Finlandisation is now commonly used to describe the situation when a small country allows its policies to be significantly influenced by a larger and more powerful neighbour. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. How could Russia react to Finland, Sweden joining NATO - CNBC A recent survey found that just 21% of Finns support joining Nato, while 51% oppose it, with the rest not giving an answer. They can fly over Finnish airspace. If Finland joins NATO, then we are on the enemy side, so to say. Relations between Finland and Russia have been conducted over many centuries, from wars between Sweden and Russia in the early 18th century, to the planned and realized creation and annexation of the Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire during Napoleonic times in the early 19th century, to the dissolution of the personal union between Read about our approach to external linking. Discovery Company. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Russia has a couple of 100 kilometers of shoreline in the Baltic Sea, which is 98 percent surrounded by NATO countries. Finland prepares response to Russia's security demands, says foreign By Elisabeth Braw, a columnist at. - Joining the EU and signing its mutual defence clause meant Finland switched from formal neutrality to military non-alignment, but Finland opted to stay out of Western defence alliance NATO. Foreign relations of Finland - Wikipedia Something New, Something Old - Finland on the Verge of a New Russia If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. But despite the chummy optics, observers expect the pair to have honest conversations about prickly issues, including military tensions between Russia and the West in eastern Europe. That's what our president means when he says: "You should look in the mirror." Vazha Tavberidze is a staff writer with RFE/RL's Georgian Service. But after the Ukraine war, they might build some new garrison areas and bases closer to the Finnish border, but it's not that easy. Finland has also been moving to end imports of Russian coal, gas and oil. Contrary to the idea that Helsinki was afraid of Russian military action against Finland, the decision to apply for NATO membership in May was based above all on proactive risk management. The Nordic country shares an 830-mile border with Russia. Relations since then have been both warm and cool, fluctuating with time. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He stressed that Finland, despite its probable future Nato membership, wanted to continue dealing with Russia bilaterally in practical issues generated by the border neighbourhood and hoped to engage with Moscow in a professional manner. - Finland lost around 10% of its territory to the Soviet Union in the Moscow Armistice in September 1944. Is that not a cause of concern if Russia is making mischief? The Finnish president told Putin by phone that his country would apply for Nato membership. () And of course, we need to consider which is the best way to ensure that the same will never happen to Finland," Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin said ahead of Finland's NATO decision. - Eventually the end of the Cold War allowed Finland to step out of Russia's shadow and join the European Union in 1995 as well as the eurozone in 1999. The Global Europe Programs staff, scholars-in-residence, and Global Fellows participate in seminars, policy study groups, and international conferences to provide analytical recommendations to policy makers and the media. Finlands former Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Ren Nyberg, has described Russia as the insoluble dilemma of Finland's foreign policy. If not publicly then at least in private, Finland has always been prepared for the Russian threat. In 1948, the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance was signed between the Soviet Union and Finland, providing a key basis for relations between the two states that was to last . "[3] Following the Finnish Civil War and October Revolution, Russians were virtually equated with Communists and due to official hostility to Communism, Finno-Soviet relations in the period between the world wars remained tense. Turkey, Hungary, even the Croatian president, seem to be unwilling to commit. Putin warns Finland that joining Nato would harm Russia relations It's not nothing, but it's not as serious as it sounds. RFE/RL: Would NATO membership change in any way Finland's conscription system? Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Trevelyan relative 'would consider' famine payment, Four dead after suspected pigeon racer dispute, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale. RFE/RL: Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said if the Russians aren't pleased, then they should look in the mirror. First published on Mon 3 Apr 2023 09.10 EDT. From midnight 1314 May 2022, Russia suspended electricity supplies to Finland. Europe can't decide if it wants to punish ordinary Russians for Putin's war. [And then] we saw with the aggression against Ukraine that Putin is blatantly willing to use force against even other Slavic nations. Outside of NATOs umbrella, the threat facing Finland would not necessarily have been a direct and all-out military confrontation with Russia, but rather a significant weakening of Finlands geopolitical position. The inevitable conclusion is that Russia is a recurring threat to Finland and the latters security policy has revolved around this question for almost a hundred years. REUTERS/Johanna Geron. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the surrounding region though research and exchange. Indeed, President Niinisto told Russia's Tass news agency ahead of the visit that his communication with President Putin is "rather clear and frank", with the pair able to "discuss anything". Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. Finland and Sweden Are Done With Deference to Russia Even if the two Nordic countries don't join NATO, they have signaled a new era in relations with Moscow. [6][8] Finland ceded 11% of its territory - including the major city Vyborg - to the Soviet Union, but prevented the Soviets from annexing Finland into the USSR. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. NATO and Finland actively cooperate in peace-support operations, exercise together and exchange analysis and information. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. It is whole new border infrastructure and new approach to border surveillance. Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals, Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki and Johan Ahlander in Stockholm Read about our approach to external linking. Instead of major units, I could see maybe the need for certain capabilities that we don't have ourselves just now, such as long-distance air defense/ballistic missile-defense units. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. That figure dropped to 1,700 when border restrictions began on September 30, according to the border guards statistics. Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena: puppet or pragmatist? And there is a sense among Finnish people, that this balance - despite regional geo-political events - is working well. Naturally, Russia was at the heart of the discussions. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. Stoltenberg earlier noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had cited opposition to NATO's eastward enlargement as one justification for invading Ukraine. It's not President Putin who says what Finland can and cannot do. For decades, Finland opted not to join any military alliance in an effort meant to appease Russia's security concerns. World Food Programme lifts suspension of operations in Sudan, King Charles' coronation to feature historic chairs, Australia to reveal huge budget rebound, pledge restraint in response, Head of Mexican migration authority charged over deadly Juarez fire. However, as Finland's NATO decision is fundamentally about managing its relationship with Russia, it can be expected that Finland will be a reliable ally who supports a tough approach to Russian aggression especially when this threat will loom over Europe for the foreseeable future. We will participate most probably in Baltic air surveillance activities. They do have some bases and military installations there. As of February 24th, Finland's Russia policy is radically shifting and is tied to the war in Ukraine. The planned border fence will stretch for a distance of 130 to 260 kilometers (80 to 161 miles) only part of the 830-mile-long border it shares with Russia and will come with accompanying surveillance equipment and a patrol road as well. Our citizens thought that if we have really good cooperation with Russia, then we wouldn't have to fear them. [Finlandization was from] the Cold War. "But now we'll consider it as a state that is unfriendly to us.". Attacking with land forces across the border is mostly impossible. The Global Europe Program addresses vital issues affecting the European continent, U.S.-European relations, and Europes ties with the rest of the world. Niinists office said the Finnish head of state told Putin how starkly Finlands security environment had changed after Moscows invasion of Ukraine, and pointed to Russias demands on Finland refraining from seeking membership of the 30-member western military alliance. Toveri: It's not a security guarantee. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. If Russia reduces its border control, this may cause additional pressure at the Finnish end to control illegal entry. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Finland's accession raised the risk of the Ukraine conflict escalating further. Toveri: The thing is that 90 percent of that border is wilderness, it's just forestno road, no network, no anything. Finland's Changing Security Finlands approach to Russia in the future stems from the stone-cold fact that it cannot escape the common 1,300 km (800 mile) border and military proximity with its neighbor. Of course, they can do something, but we know where and we can control that and we are prepared for that every day. Finnish President Saul Niinisto said Finland's most significant contribution to NATO's common deterrence and defence would be to defend its own territory. Finland joins Nato in a major blow to Putin which doubles the length of HELSINKI, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Finland is preparing a response to a letter it received from Russia on Tuesday that asked for security guarantees from OSCE countries, Finnish foreign minister Pekka . Finnish president Sauli Niinist offered one illustration of Russia's approach in an interview in February 2022, recalling Vladimir Putin's warning from 2016: "When we look across the border now, we see a Finn on the other side. Certain realities, however, will not change. In dropping non-alignment, Russia's Foreign Ministry said, Finland was committing a dangerous historical mistake that would fray relations with Moscow and undo its status as a. Researchers and academics are coming forward with allegations that research on Russia has been curbed, either directly or indirectly, so that researchers have had to sensor themselves on the negative trends and features of Russia. The speeches by Finlands leadership reflected on how Russia's war and aggression had increased the threat to Finland's security, and with it, drove Finland to seek security under NATOs umbrella. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Russia Raises Territorial Questions For Finland Ahead of - Newsweek Throughout its independence since 1917, Finland has sought a tolerable and manageable security balance with Russia. Toveri: That is a difficult question to answer. "Finland's accession to NATO will. A formal membership application would then be submitted to Nato headquarters in Brussels. Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Angus MacSwan, Air defences shoot down 15 of 18 missiles launched at Ukraine in dead of night, Oil depot fire part of Ukraine's preparation for counter-offensive - military, Ukrainian defenders oust Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut - Ukraine general, Pope says Vatican involved in secret Ukraine peace mission. MisterVee on Twitter Nato jet 'approaches' Russian minister's plane before being chased away by escorting jet, Russian media say (21 June). Finland cannot rely on the effectiveness of Russian border control, the statement said. "I congratulate all the people of Finland," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his evening address. A Warner Bros. The Russian president has warned his Finnish counterpart that relations between the two neighbours could be negatively affected if Finland follows through with plans to apply for Nato membership. Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena: puppet or pragmatist? RFE/RL: The U.K. has said it would "provide support" if Finland and Sweden were attacked. But now the Russians have showed that it doesn't matter. Toveri: It's all his fault. But in 1809 Finland was ceded to Russia, and in 1812 the Russian tsar Alexander I moved the capital of the grand duchy of Finland from Turku (bo) to Helsinki. That comes through general conscription because, that way, every family more or less is tied up in the [country's] defense. So it's not just the bunkers; conscription is still mandatory for men, and the country has about 900,000 reservists. Thus, it seems that Finland will face its traditional dilemmas and problems mostly in a new context and as part of an alliance. - Sweden lost Finland to Russia in a war in 1809, turning Finland into an autonomous part of the Russian empire, the Grand Duchy of Finland. It was our survival mechanism. Russia and the West: A century of subversion and suspicion. Overall I don't think that there would be a need to permanently base NATO units in Finland, but [instead] to improve our capability to receive temporary reinforcement if needed. But again, that's where the assurances given by some of the NATO countries are important because NATO has an overwhelming maritime force in the Baltic Sea. ", [Russia could stop] selling us gas. [21][22] On 18 May 2022, Finland formally applied to join NATO, simultaneously with Sweden. Finlands previous restraints national defense, the international rules-based order and close defense cooperation with NATO were deemed insufficient under the circumstances. Niinist and the Finnish prime minister, Sanna Marin, on Thursday jointly endorsed Finlands Nato bid and recommended the country must apply for it without delay to guarantee security amid Russias military manoeuvres in Ukraine and Europes changed geopolitical and security landscape. Russia has slammed Finland's announcement that it could apply to join the Western military alliance NATO in a matter of days. This question has been building for some time. Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, said Finland's membership in NATO would raise two specific territorial issues, according to a RU News 24 report. With Finland joining NATO now, is that model dead? Thus, Finland's future relationship with Russia will find its place in the middle ground between old and new doctrines. - After a few decades of Finnish independence and just before World War II, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union made a non-aggression pact which included a secret protocol that assigned Finland as well as Estonia and Latvia to the Soviet "sphere of influence". In the assessment of the Finnish Border Guard, the changed security environment has made it necessary to construct a barrier fence along part of the eastern border, the border guard said in a statement. The same is now being done in other western capitals as well. However, after the failed 1991 August Coup in Russia, Finland recognized the Baltic states and restored diplomatic relations with them. - In 1981, in what in the West was dubbed the Whiskey on the Rocks incident, a Soviet Whiskey-class submarine ran aground on the coast in southern Sweden. HELSINKI (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his Finnish counterpart Saturday that relations between the two neighbors could be "negatively affected" if Finland follows through with plans to apply for NATO membership. By joining Nato, Finland will strengthen its own security and assume its responsibilities. Undoubtedly we appreciate Finland's neutral status.". Finland becomes 31st member of Nato in Brussels ceremony, Finland to join Nato on Tuesday as Russia sounds border warning, Finland to formally join Nato within days, Jens Stoltenberg says, Finlands way into Nato clears as hold-out Turkey votes in favour, Turkish president lifts veto on Finlands Nato application, Turkey has made its mind up about our Nato membership, says Finland, Erdoan says Turkey may accept Finland into Nato without Sweden, Turkey condemns burning of Quran during far-right protest in Sweden, Turkey pushes back vote on Sweden and Finlands Nato accession. The View From Finland: 'The Russian Garrisons Have Been Emptied. Additionally, he believes that transatlantic cooperation is needed for the maintenance of sovereignty and security of some EU member states, including Finland. Russia has repeatedly said it will not tolerate the two countries joining NATO. For Ukraine, they are not ready for that kind of work with Russia, because they want to be independent. The fallout between Russia and the West does not wipe away Finlands decades long experience dealing with Russians. Is that an empty threat? Yet, perceiving Finlands approach and policy as a failure just because Helsinki was not able to prevent or foresee seems simplistic. And it has been a close partner of Nato since the 1990s - sending troops to operations led by the alliance in the Balkans and Afghanistan, and maintaining a relationship that is now said to be as close as it can be without Finland officially joining as a member. The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. When Russia invaded Finland in 1808, Helsinki was again burned to the ground. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. So it would be a very big risk for Russia to try something like that. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Pekka Toveri: The Croatian president, as I understand, has a special relationship with the Russians, but the Croatian government has a totally different view and the president is not the one who determines things. World Food Programme lifts suspension of operations in Sudan, King Charles' coronation to feature historic chairs, Australia to reveal huge budget rebound, pledge restraint in response, Head of Mexican migration authority charged over deadly Juarez fire. While Finland is not a member of the Nato military alliance that has sent thousands of troops to eastern Europe to reassure Poland and the Baltic states, it has been a member of the European Union since 1995. relations with. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstroem told reporters it was Stockholm's ambition to become a member at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July. This clearly situates it well within the West, says Suvi Turtiainen, a journalist with the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, who is currently researching Russian perceptions of Finnish independence. In dropping non-alignment, Russia's Foreign Ministry said, Finland was committing a dangerous historical mistake that would fray relations with Moscow and undo its status as a confidence-building presence in the Baltic Sea and Europe at large. So I don't think that [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orban is willing to risk that and gain the hatred of both NATO and the EU by [making] things difficult for Finland. According to the Kremlin statement, the two leaders also discussed Russias military operation in Ukraine, and the possibility of achieving a political solution. People in Finland's emotions have included a combination of fear, anger and, above all, disappointment towards Russia. It had to relocate 400,000 inhabitants, or 11% of its population, from lost territories. It had to relocate 400,000 inhabitants, or 11% of its population, from lost territories and pay war indemnities worth $300 million, equalling some 4.9 billion euros ($5.3 billion) in current exchange rates.
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