Russia flexes muscles
Russia is reinforcing its military capability in Finland’s backyard. Experts point to recent energy disputes with neighbours as a Russian attempt to rebuild its sphere of influence. Jan Leijonhielm, Strategic Researcher at the Swedish Defence Research Agency in Stockhom says a more autocratic Moscow under the reigns of its security organisation wants to regain its political strength.
“Russia lost its buffer zone following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact,” Leijonhielm adds. “A new security zone is being created- first in the former south and the militant Islamic areas. Now signs of this taking place close to Finland are also evident.”
Lucky Finland has a terrifying deterrent in the form of mines along its borders, huh!