The evolving security situation in Europe would require an up-to-date briefing on NATO for Finns. Instead of accurately explaining the responsibilities and duties of NATO members to the uninitiated, even the publicly funded Yleisradio is spreading misinformation – and to children, no less. The message is straight out of a last-century “Sammontakojat” (Sammon Forgers) wall chart: NATO is evil.
I myself held the same misconception until about the mid-80s. It was easy to be content with the security situation back then, as the Soviet Union’s military aggressions against neighboring countries were not seen as they are now in the 2000s. Some may have also gone unreported in the spirit of the times. From the first grade onwards, we were taught that the YYA Treaty (Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance) kept Finland safe and that Finland was neutral. Only later did many realize what it really meant. The whole country was prostrate before the Soviet Union.
The lessons of the last century are still evident in the actions of former and some current politicians who lived through those same times. Paavo Lipponen’s Russia lobbying is absolutely appalling to watch. Heinäluoma could replace Lipponen at any time. Esko Aho, on the other hand, applies his doctrines at a large Russian bank. And these former prime ministers and finance ministers are not ashamed of their dealings – not even in this situation. And then there’s Halonen and Tuomioja. Oh boys and girls…
It was probably @jps who presented erroneous views on NATO in the coffee room. I think it would be good if Finnish media tried to get the public to understand at least the following about NATO:
- NATO is a military defense alliance. NATO does not attack, but it also cannot prevent an individual member state or member states from attacking. There is no obligation to support an aggressor.
- As a NATO member, Finland would only be obliged to send its soldiers to fight on foreign soil if the task was to defend another member of the defense alliance from attack.
- Article Five of the NATO Treaty requires all member states to defend a member state under attack. Article Five has been activated once since 1949. This occurred at the request of the USA in connection with the 2001 terrorist attacks.
- NATO did not participate in the Iraq War, even though its member states were involved in military operations.
- The placement of nuclear weapons on Finnish soil is always Finland’s decision, whether Finland is in NATO or not. Nuclear weapons are not coming to our soil.
- Finland’s own army or the planning of its own defense will not change significantly with NATO membership. The Finnish army is already largely compatible with NATO, and with NATO partnership, defense will be trained together. Finland is always primarily responsible for its own defense.
- Finland’s current defense expenditures exceed NATO requirements. Defense costs will not increase unless the Finnish Parliament decides otherwise.
- NATO membership is a superior way to prevent Russian aggression. Russia does not attack a NATO country. No country has ever attacked a NATO country.
- The EU is not a defense alliance and does not oblige member states to provide military assistance if one or more EU member states are attacked. This also applies to Finland.
These quickly came to mind. Feel free to continue the list.
If the Russian doves of peace from the era of Finlandization still linger in your eyes, it is important to remember this:
- Russia has been involved in 12 wars or military operations in addition to Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union (1990).
NATO is by far the most important part in guaranteeing European security and stopping Russian aggressions, now and in the future.