Russia has repeatedly threatened neighboring Finland with “serious consequences” if it joins NATO. Despite threats, on Tuesday the Finns came one step closer to membership after a solemn protocol signing. But there is no direct military threat from the Russians against Finland today, according to Finland’s Chief of Defense Timo Kivinen. – A war is now being fought in Europe. We must be prepared for an unexpected development. The Finnish defense is following the situation extra closely and we can flexibly change our preparedness, he says. The line of defense between the ears Finland has previously been under Russian rule from 1809 until independence in 1917. The Soviet Union attacked the country again during the Winter War in 1939-1940. Chief of Defense Kivinen has previously stated that the most important line of defense lies between a person’s ears. He believes that the Ukrainian will to resist is a good example of this. – We should never underestimate the importance of will and motivation, he says. The Karelia Brigade on exercise in Finland in May this year. First-time service is still mandatory for all men in Finland, who have 22,000 new conscripts annually. In Norway, there are around 9,000 conscripts. Photo: ALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO / AFP Great fighting spirit In May, the Finnish Ministry of Defense published the report “Finns’ views on foreign and security policy, national defense and security”. Around 1000 Finns were asked about their fighting spirit. The interrogation took place after the war broke out in Ukraine. The light blue graph shows how the Finns’ desire to join a defense alliance has skyrocketed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The dark blue graph shows the Finns’ desire to remain outside alliances. Photo: The Finnish Ministry of Defense – In Finland, the will to defend the country has traditionally been at a high level, says Chief of Defense Timo Kivinen. But the war in Ukraine has changed defensive attitudes. Finland and Russia share a 1,300-kilometer border. – The willingness to defend oneself is at the highest level we have ever measured, says Kivinen. People living in Eastern Finland, Oulu and Lapland, on the border with Russia, are particularly willing to personally defend the country. Finnish Chief of Defense Timo Kivinen (right) walks past the military with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö (front) during the Finnish flag day in Helsinki on June 4, 2022. Photo: ALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO / AFP «If Finland is attacked, do you think Finns should take up weapons to defend themselves in all situations, even if the outcome seems uncertain? ” the participants were asked. – Yes, 83 percent answered this year. This is up from 68 per cent in 2021. It was also clear that the Finns’ enthusiasm for NATO had increased. Two thirds are now for NATO membership, while only a quarter were for last autumn. Since the 1970s, Finns have been asked the same thing every year. The dark blue graph in the middle shows how willing Finnish men and women are to pick up weapons and defend themselves against an enemy, despite the fact that the outcome is uncertain, between 2003 and 2022. Never before have they been so positive. Photo: The Finnish Ministry of Defense More visible Nordic exercises Finland and Sweden are expected to become full members of NATO in six to eight months. But in a draft defense agreement between Finland and Norway from 2021, the countries have already agreed to increase practical cooperation in preparedness, exercises, the ability to coordinate action, research and cyber defense. – There is strong support in the population for Nordic defense co-operation. Finland’s NATO accession will increase the need and opportunities for this cooperation, says Chief of Defense Kivinen. There is a great will to fight among the Finns, says Chief of Defense Timo Kivinen. Photo: Petteri Keskikuru / Petteri Keskikuru – Finland, Norway and the other Scandinavian countries will continue the cooperation in a more practical way, also by having joint exercises that will be visible to the population in these Nordic countries, he says. The Finnish Armed Forces is estimated to consist of around 280,000 people mobilized. In peacetime, however, the Finns have around 12,000 employees and 22,000 new conscripts annually, according to the Finnish Armed Forces. The Karelia Brigade on exercise in Taipalsaari, near the border with Russia in March this year. In May, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin stated that the country must apply for NATO membership as soon as possible. Photo: LAURI HEINO / AFP By comparison, the Norwegian Armed Forces has a total strength of around 70,000 people, according to the Armed Forces. In 2021, they had around 17,000 employees, just over 9,000 conscripts and 575 apprentices. There are around 150,000 more people living in Finland than there are in Norway. Most recently in May, Finland purchased portable firearms and anti-tank weapons. Modern technological weapons and a comprehensive reserve troop are the country’s best card against possible attacks, says Chief of Defense Timo Kivinen. “Russia’s attack on Ukraine has shown us that we have made the right choices with regard to the development of our capacity,” said the Chief of Defense. On the Finnish flag day in July this year, the Finns showed off their military. More than 80 percent of Finns want Finland to defend itself militarily if attacked. Photo: ALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO / AFP Russian war engraved in memory The Finns were at war with the Soviet Union twice between 1939 and 1944. First during the Winter War, where the Russians attacked and Finland finally lost. Then during the Continuation War. The Soviet Union won the Winter War against Finland, which lasted from November 30, 1939 to March 12, 1940. Here are Finnish soldiers during the fighting outside Vyborg, which was Finland’s second largest city and since ended up in Russian hands after the war. Photo: Lehtikuva Oy / NTB – The legacy of the 105-day Winter War is of course engraved in the common Finnish memory. But when we are to develop our defense, we must look at recent conflicts and tomorrow’s trends, says the Chief of Defense. In a survey from 2015 from WIN / Gallup International, it is clear that the Finnish willingness to defend the country is highest among the countries that participated in Europe. Photo: WIN / Gallup International
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Finns have never been so ready to pick up weapons and defend themselves – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
