Russia has maintained that Finland’s military non-alignment stance “served as the cornerstone for stability” in northern Europe, but that this is no longer the case. The challenges to Russian national security posed by Finland’s NATO membership have poised Russia to execute military-technical and other retaliatory actions, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. A major shift has occurred in Northern Europe, which has historically been one of the world’s most stable areas, as a result of Finland’s accession.
Russia’s border with NATO has almost quadrupled; Finland, which borders Russia for more than 830 miles, officially became the 31st member of the NATO alliance.
Russia’s border with NATO has almost quadrupled; Finland, which borders Russia for more than 830 miles, officially became the 31st member of the NATO alliance. The nation’s accession was formally announced at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels. In May, two months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Finland submitted its application to join NATO. Finland has abandoned its long-held neutrality in the wake of Russia’s decision to launch a military operation in Ukraine.
Notwithstanding commitments made to the ex-president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, NATO has progressively expanded for decades.
Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, predicted that ‘it will be a positive day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security, and for NATO as a whole.’ As per Stoltenberg, ‘Finland will be stronger and safer as a result of becoming a member and said we are reducing the possibility for miscalculation in Moscow about NATO’s readiness to safeguard Finland.’ Notwithstanding commitments made to the ex-president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, NATO has progressively expanded for decades.
In reaction to perceived security risks brought on by Finland’s NATO membership, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned NATO expansion and vowed to take “retaliatory measures.” If the U.S.-led security alliance deploys more personnel or equipment to Finland, Russia has threatened to beef up its military there. Likewise, in reaction, Russia is expanding its military might in the western and northwestern hemispheres. In the event that soldiers and assets from other NATO countries are stationed in Finland, Russia will take further steps to protect its military security. Moreover, he said that NATO nations were intensifying their “anti-Russian strategy” and that providing more military supplies to Ukraine would also escalate the conflict.
Russia has threatened to beef up its military as it is expanding its military might in the western and northwestern hemispheres. In the event that soldiers and assets from other NATO countries are stationed in Finland, Russia will take further steps to protect its military security.
Russian officials have repeatedly warned that the expansion of the Western alliance closer to Russia wouldn’t make the region more stable or secure. Russia has expressed strong concerns about NATO expansion in North Europe and has taken several measures to respond to it. Here are some of the ways Russia has responded:
- Military buildup: Russia has increased its military presence along its western and northern border in response to NATO expansion. This includes deploying troops and equipment, conducting military exercises, and building new military bases.
- Diplomatic protests: Russia has repeatedly protested NATO expansion, calling it a threat to its national security. It has also accused NATO of encircling Russia and trying to isolate it from the international community.
- Economic measures: Russia has used economic measures to respond to NATO expansion. For example, it has imposed trade sanctions on some NATO countries and has restricted imports of certain goods.
- Persuasion campaigns: Russia has used information operations to sow doubt and distrust about NATO among its own population and in other countries. This includes the spreading of reactive information about NATO’s intentions and actions.
- Cyberattacks: Russia has been accused of carrying out cyberattacks against NATO countries in an attempt to undermine their security and destabilize their governments.
Consequently, Russia’s response to NATO expansion in North Europe has been one of major concern and opposition and has led to increased tensions between Russia and NATO.
A denial-of-service assault against the website of Finland’s Parliament was attributed to NoName057 (16), a pro-Russian hacking group. Despite the fact that this allegation has not been independently verified, the organization claimed that the attack was in reprisal for Finland to join NATO.
Russian embassy’s official account, accused outgoing Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin of abandoning the country’s long-standing policy of non-alignment. Russia’s embassy called new NATO member Finland a “nuclear target.”
Moscow has observed successive waves of NATO enlargement to the formerly communist east of Europe with much consternation since the conclusion of the Cold War three decades ago, and the issue was a cause for contention even before the Ukraine war.
All of this raises the possibility of a substantial war escalation, but it has no bearing on how the military operation in Ukraine turns out. In these circumstances, retaliatory actions are being taken in support of and in defense of Russia’s security. Certain ground-attack aircraft in Belarus now has nuclear bombs that can be used to attack targets. Moreover, operational-tactical missile systems Iksander M were given to the Belarusian Military Forces for both conventional and nuclear use.
Moscow has observed successive waves of NATO enlargement to the formerly communist east of Europe with much consternation since the conclusion of the Cold War three decades ago, and the issue was a cause for contention even before the Ukraine war. Russia sees NATO enlargement as an “existential” threat to its security, and Finland has used Ukraine’s war to join the alliance justifying its offensive move.
The US militarily strengthened Ukraine to essentially become integrated into the NATO system without being an official member of the alliance.
Strengthening NATO in the face of Russian actions in Ukraine provides Washington with more leverage over the fate of Europe. Similarly, the US militarily strengthened Ukraine to essentially become integrated into the NATO system without being an official member of the alliance. Russia’s military action in Ukraine could have been avoided if the US had not relentlessly provoked it. The accession of Finland to NATO is bound to change the outlook of Europe and the world at large, and it is important to note that the situation between Russia and NATO is complex and multifaceted.
Asma Khan Durrani is an Islamabad-based expert in Strategic Affairs. She is a student of Defence and Strategic Studies. She has done M.Phil. from SPIR Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad. She has also been published internationally. She tweets @AsmaKhan_47 Mailed @ asmakhandurrani595@gmail.com