Finland will counter Russian threat with pragmatism

Subject

Finland’s defence policy.

Significance

Finland’s traditional strong emphasis on territorial defence against Russia was complemented with an approach to address hybrid threats when the government opened the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki in September.

Impacts

• Defence spending is likely to continue rising gradually and major decisions on procurement projects will be made in the coming years.
• The outcome of the presidential election will have little bearing on Finland’s consistent, consensual defence policy.
• A more vocal debate about joining NATO would heighten tensions with Russia.
• Finland’s new hybrid threats centre could contribute to shaping the security debate in Europe over the next years.
• The ethnic Russian minority remains vulnerable to external influences.