The Finnish Ministry of Defense, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, prepared the report “Russia of Forces,” the purpose of which is to raise awareness of the Russian Federation and improve its understanding. Moreover, in the first place, it states that Moscow allegedly "showed contempt" for the rule-based international order and security. According to the authors, it creates instability, seeking to obtain the status of "internationally recognized great power."

The document, the text of which was reviewed by RT, also notes that Moscow is allegedly trying to exert political influence on Helsinki. According to Finnish agencies, Russia, using various channels, including diplomatic ones, is trying to convey that it and Finland are good neighbors, but to support such relations, the Finns should act responsibly, that is, "taking into account Russian interests." According to the authors, such reports are one of the tools of pressure.

“Russia seeks in many ways to influence public discourse and decision-making in Finland. An important priority, among other things, is the effective provision of Finland’s preparedness to counter hybrid operations that affect the public, as well as a wide range of other security threats, ”the report says.

The section of the document devoted to Russian foreign policy states that the “hybrid influence” of the Russian Federation in Western countries is a systematic phenomenon. So, according to the authors, for the implementation of such operations, Moscow has a professional and well-trained diplomatic corps around the world, and also uses the “dependence of states on Russian energy resources”. In addition, the Finnish departments note that Russia allegedly uses cyber attacks, conducts an “electronic war” and has an “information-psychological effect”.

“The information war is a continuous process: the struggle is waged both in wartime and in peacetime and covers all possible battlefields both in Russia and abroad. The goal of these efforts is to force the enemy to act in accordance with the strategic interests of Moscow, ”the document explains.

At the same time, Russian officials have repeatedly denied allegations of Moscow’s involvement in hacker attacks, as well as any other methods of “hybrid warfare”. But despite this, EU countries continue to assert that the main hybrid threat to Europe is allegedly from Russia.

Finland's security decisions reflect the policies of the Western community, according to a report from the Finnish authorities. At the same time, it is emphasized that the active participation of Helsinki in Western defense projects allegedly can lead to "increased pressure" from the Kremlin.

“Finland’s increased participation in Western defense arrangements is fraught with increased criticism and pressure from Russia,” the report said.

It is worth noting that Finland is not a member of NATO, but is its partner and participates in joint activities with the bloc. So, in June, the exercises of the Baltops 2019 alliance were held in the Baltic Sea, in which Finnish ships and aircraft were involved. And last year, during the maneuvers, land equipment was used.

  • Joint exercises of the American and Finnish military, Finland.
  • Reuters
  • © Lehtikuva / Elias Lahtinen

In tune with the European Union

Finland has to balance between two centers - Brussels and Moscow, says Dmitry Solonnikov, director of the Institute for Contemporary State Development. It is beneficial for the country to maintain friendly relations with the Russian Federation, but at the same time, being part of the European Union, it is forced to echo the anti-Russian rhetoric adopted in Europe.

“EU countries are not independent, including Finland. But, on the other hand, it borders on Russia. In many ways, the country's economy is built on interaction with the Russian Federation, and this also takes into account the Finnish leadership. Finland’s dominant position regarding its neighbors is restrained and devoid of aggression, ”the expert said in a conversation with RT.

Solonnikov’s opinion is shared by Nikolai Topornin, Director of the Center for European Information, Associate Professor of MGIMO. According to him, such conclusions of the Ministry of Defense will not affect Helsinki’s policy towards Moscow.

“Finland is one of the few countries that fruitfully collaborated with Russia even during the Cold War. Opinion polls do not record the growth of negative perception of the Russian Federation. And the government holds a moderate position and is not going to worsen relations, ”the expert added.

Note that in July, Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne said that Helsinki wants to engage in dialogue with Moscow and cooperate on environmental issues. In addition, he expressed the hope that the EU will be able to normalize relations with Russia.

The Russian Federation also advocates active interaction with neighbors. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, regular political negotiations are a characteristic feature of relations between Moscow and Helsinki.

“Russian-Finnish cooperation is mutually beneficial and multifaceted, it relies on strong trade and economic ties, joint work to ensure the functioning of the state border between the two countries, dynamic inter-regional and cross-border cooperation, direct contacts between people,” the diplomatic service added.

  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (right) and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (left) during a meeting as part of an informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the Slovak High Tatras
  • RIA News
  • © Vitaly Belousov

Fashion for the “Russian threat”


The Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Finland also analyzed the military capabilities of Russia. According to the report, the power of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the willingness of the Russian government to use force to protect their interests are constant factors that Helsinki should consider.

“Military issues are an integral item on the agenda of Finnish-Russian relations, including in peacetime. Russia uses (and will continue to use more and more often) military force to convey its own point of view, express discontent and indicate the importance of its interests, ”the Finnish authorities say.

According to the authors of the report, the increased readiness of the Russian army to start hostilities, the ability to wage a protracted conflict, as well as supposedly “use the armed forces to fight for supremacy in the information sphere” are security challenges for Finland.

It is noteworthy that earlier the new Minister of Defense of Finland Antti Kaikkonen announced the absence of an immediate military threat from the Russian Federation.

“Finland does not see a direct military threat from Russia. However, we are located on the border of the military alliance (NATO) and are a neighbor of a great power, which we take into account in the development of our defense capabilities, ”he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already explained that Russia does not threaten anyone and does not plan to attack other countries.

“Russia's growing military power does not threaten anyone. We did not and do not have plans to use this potential for offensive and all the more aggressive purposes. We are not threatening anyone, we are not going to attack anyone, we are not going to take anything from anyone, we ourselves have everything, ”the head of state said.

As political analyst Nikolai Topornin noted, the Finnish military is obliged to point out potential threats. Recently, trust in the Baltic region between NATO countries and Russia has weakened, and the Ministry of Defense follows this logic when speaking about hypothetical challenges.

“Euro-Atlantic solidarity is forcing Finland to be closer to the EU and NATO. In addition, Russia's total military superiority raises concerns. The atmosphere of hostility between the Russian Federation and the European community allows us to draw “thoughtful” conclusions that Russia supposedly can use military force against Finland, ”he said.

Dmitry Solonnikov, in turn, called the concerns of Finnish politicians a pan-European trend.

“Horror stories can be invented for yourself, but they still understand that no one is going to fight the Finns. But Russian weapons are certainly not aimed at containing Finland. There are no illusions. However, talking about the “Russian threat” is such a European fashion, ”the expert concluded.