Austin Bay: The Finns Are Ready to Deter Russia

Finland’s recent application to join NATO has been approved by Hungary’s parliament. Turkey’s decision is now awaited as Finland requires all 30 members of NATO to give their consent before being admitted. Turkey opposes Sweden’s application but has approved Finland’s after initially opposing it. The addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO will greatly enhance the alliance’s ability to defend Europe and the Arctic.

A 2004 briefing on Nordic defense operations from the Baltic to the Arctic highlighted that during the Cold War, Denmark shared air surveillance information with Sweden and Finland with NATO’s approval. Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine since 2014 and the resulting threat to Finland and Sweden has seen public opinion in both nations shift and led to their decision to seek membership in NATO.

Despite Finland’s history of neutrality, its well-trained military has long been prepared to defend the nation against Russia, as evidenced by two bitter mid-20th century wars. With its commitment to robust national defense that obligates every citizen to participate, Finland fields a small but potent military force that includes artillery pieces, anti-aircraft guns and missiles, mobile infantry and armored groups, and a strong network of defensive zones.

Russia has no one to blame but itself for Finland’s decision to seek NATO membership. The border between Finland and Russia is now a NATO border, and it represents a significant deterrent to any future Russian adventurism.