“Our only task has always been to prepare for a fight against Russia”

Niko, how did the Finnish army experience the country’s accession to NATO?
Nico*: I want to start by emphasizing that my statements only apply to me. As far as I can remember, the mood in the Finnish army has always been very pro-NATO. For the past few weeks, staff have simply been waiting for Turkish and Hungarian ratification, some patiently, others less so, just like the rest of the population.

How did you and your colleagues in the military react when Finland finally got the green light to join?
There were no big parties or festivals. Some people drank alone, while others were content with a “party coffee”, which is very Finnish… On the other hand, many shared their joy on social networks, on Facebook or in Whatsapp groups. That’s also very Finnish, I think.

Do the majority of Finns support this strategic approach?
My rough estimate is that more than 50 percent of Finns have supported joining NATO since the beginning of the Russian invasion. That is a big change: according to some official sources, only 26 percent of Finns were in favor of joining NATO by 2021.

Before 2022, how did the Finnish people see their relationship with Russia?
The population had retained the Soviet-era attitude: we must come to terms with the Russians and not harass them. She believed that this way we could live in peace as we have for decades. However, on February 24, 2022, the situation changed fundamentally. People have realized that what happens in Ukraine can happen here. And that choosing NATO gives us the best chance of avoiding a conflict with the Russians. Or, at worst, to get the help and support we need to fight the Russians when it comes down to it.

Do you have colleagues or friends who were against a rapprochement between Finland and NATO?
I have never met anyone in the Finnish military who is against NATO. Never. We have been part of the Partnership for Peace (PFP) program for many years. For this reason, we participated in NATO exercises and joint training during my military career. So no radical changes await us.

Emotions have been running high in several European countries since 2022. What does the Finnish army think about Russia?
The Finnish army was never divided in relation to Russia, on the contrary. Everyone who serves here has only one task: to prepare for the fight against the Russians. That’s all we do. That’s what we’ve always done. The attack on Ukraine may have come as a surprise to the people, but not really to the military. It was always expected that the Russians could do exactly what they did in Ukraine. We were just a little surprised that the Russians are so lacking in training, tactics and overall performance. This is good news for us.

And with the population?
The feelings towards Russia are very negative among the Finnish people. She is against the Russian invasion, we support Ukraine with economic and military aid. Many volunteer organizations offer support. Together with my colleague, I bought a generator and various jerry cans for Ukrainian citizens who have to live in a school. I also sent military equipment to Kiev. Some people have even repaired old military trucks and then shipped them loaded with materials.

Finland’s entry into NATO could increase tensions in the region and harden the fronts. Aren’t you afraid of friction at the border?
Personally, I don’t expect anything to happen at the borders in the near future. Not anymore. Any conflict with Finland is now a conflict and a war with NATO. At the moment, the Russians do not have the resources to fight such a battle. Most major Russian military bases along the border have been evacuated. The troops were sent to Ukraine and suffered heavy casualties there. Some bases have lost more than half their people. Usually the Finnish army knows where these Russians are and how strong they are. And at the moment the Russians are incapable of launching a surprise attack without informing all of NATO. Even before accession, a US Air Force aircraft designed to collect electronic intelligence flew into Finnish airspace for the first time. The message was clear: Finland and NATO can now look deep into Russian territory. We can keep an eye on them.

How has the army prepared for accession in recent months?
I don’t want to reveal too much. The Finnish army will continue to do what it has always done. NATO or US troops have been training continuously since last spring with various units in Finland, and the media reported extensively on this.

What changes are expected?
At the moment we do not know how and to what extent accession will affect our army. The Finnish army made its largest military purchase (F-35 fighter jets) before accession, and we have already spent almost 2% of our GDP on military and defense expenditure. In the future, the Finnish army will continue its mission of protecting borders and maintaining territorial integrity as usual, and we will maintain our nationwide conscription. We don’t expect much to change. We will definitely participate in more joint exercises. We could become part of the Alliance Air Police in the countries of the Baltic States and Eastern Europe, but nothing has been officially decided yet. But I am very optimistic and look forward to training with the allies within Finland’s borders and in other countries.

You sound very pleased!
I am very happy to join NATO. Personally, I’ve been waiting for this day my entire adult life. I think this is the best thing to happen to Finland since independence in 1917. Relations between Russia and the Western world, including Finland, have reached an all-time low and I don’t think that will change anytime soon. The Russians themselves caused our membership in NATO, and these bad relations are their fault.

Finland has a very strong army. So do you think NATO can benefit from your experience and strengths?
First of all, Finland is one of the few European countries that has never abolished conscription. We have an army that is very powerful in times of war. It includes more than 280,000 soldiers, 900,000 are in reserve. Our artillery corps is the most powerful in Europe. We have one of the strongest and most modern air forces in Europe with 62 F/A-18 fighters. New F-35 fighter jets will arrive between 2026 and 2030, a real advantage over the Baltic States, which have no fighter jets at all. So yes, I think NATO is happy to have us. My personal opinion is that NATO has found in the Scandinavian region a reliable and strong member whose army is designed to fight a major land war against the Russians in Northern Europe and whose people are determined to defend their country. And I think Finland has found a strong partner with a lot of military resources and military aid if needed through NATO’s Article 5. Personally, I believe that Finland’s entry will stabilize Northern Europe and Scandinavia in the coming years and that the Russians will think twice before showing hostility.

Those are big words…
I might exaggerate a bit and say that Finland’s entry into NATO has probably saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides, as it is now much less likely that a major war with the Russians will break out in the near future. In any case, the Finnish army will become stronger and train more with NATO allies. In general, Finland will do its best to maintain peace and stability in Scandinavia. I really hope it stays that way. We will “never be alone again,” as General Adolf Ehrnrooth, a veteran of the Winter War, said.

*Name known to editors