It is clear that no one in the Swedish and Finnish troops wants to talk about the issue of NATO membership.
This is an exercise like any other and it is good to practice with each other and NATO.
This is the message from those we talk to in the exercise Cold response 2022. That Sweden and Finland work closely with each other and NATO is something that has been clear for some time.
Understand and practice together
Cold response 2022 is led by the NATO country and neighboring Norway.
It has been around since 2006 and takes place every two years.
About 35,000 people from 27 nations participate in the exercise, which takes place in northern Norway.
They practice in different scenarios where Sweden, Norway and Finland collaborate this time.
- I think it is very important to be part of this exercise during the time we live in now and it is important that we can deepen our cooperation with Sweden and Norway, says Brigadier General Manu Tuominen who leads the Finnish brigade.
New troubled situation
The exercise is for NATO forces to gain experience of fighting in an Arctic climate.
The Arctic and the North Calotte have also become an interesting region in terms of security policy with their natural resources and trade routes.
The war in Ukraine and the increased threats from Russia cast their shadow over the exercise, while the officers and conscripts are careful to emphasize that they are working as usual.
- We hope that we will not have to use what we learn here in a sharp situation, says Aapo Vartianen conscript from Finland.
But should it be necessary, we are ready, he adds.