Deeper Finnish-US defence ties would irritate Russia

Subject

Finnish-US defence agreement.

Significance

In response to growing Russian assertiveness in the Baltic Sea region since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, Finland has pursued closer cooperation with NATO and the United States. It signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with the United States on October 7.

Impacts

• Cooperation in areas such as training and exercises, information sharing and joint research and development will increase.
• The agreement does not include any binding mutual defence commitments.
• Finland is likely to push for greater defence cooperation with the EU.