Janne Kuusela
Director General for Defence Policy
Ministry of Defence
Finland
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has profound effects on the security in Europe. The situation is more serious and more difficult to predict than at any time since the Cold War, and this change in the security landscape is likely to be long lasting. As a response to the new circumstances, Finland and Sweden chose to leave behind a long period of military non-alliance and applied for NATO membership. This is a historic change, which strengthens the defence of Finland and Sweden, and the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe.
Finland became member of NATO in April 2023 and Sweden will join the Alliance after remaining ratifications by Türkiye and Hungary take place. Sweden is Finland’s closest partner in security and defence policy. Our geographical location dictates that we have a clear mutual interest to cooperate as closely as possible in defence matters. New member nations bring to NATO highly capable defence forces, which are used to work with other NATO nations’ militaries. We also bring our expertise in crisis management, the Arctic region and new technologies, among others, to the Alliance.
The integration of Finnish defence into NATO’s collective defence system will no doubt entail new effects and features for both NATO and Finland. However, a number of key features in our security and defence will also remain. The “Finnish receipt” is built on issues such as high level of trust and equality within the society, strong democracy, focus on education and technological edge, as well as and strategic culture for stable long-term planning. We firmly believe that they will remain vital ingredients for security and defence of a small nation, who wants to be security provider.
Joining NATO does not change the fact that Finland´s defence continues to rely on Finnish citizens’ strong will to defend their country, society and democracy. General conscription and large well-trained reserves, as well as voluntary defence activities and comprehensive whole-of-society security system will remain among the main elements in Finnish defence. Finland will continue to promote the development of cooperation between the European Union and NATO, and to advocate the strengthening of EU’s defence cooperation.
Finland’s NATO membership will not affect the status of the Åland Islands, which is based on international treaties. The Åland Islands are part of Finland’s sovereign territory and, in accordance with the provisions of the treaties, defending its neutrality is the responsibility of Finland. The treaties are not in conflict with the obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty, including Article 5. Finland respects the demilitarisation of Åland and is prepared to take the necessary measures to defend Åland’s neutrality.
The five Nordic countries share fundamental values and security interests. We have a tradition of close defence cooperation, which is being developed further with the perspective of all five becoming also NATO Allies. The Nordic countries’ defence forces are prepared and able to conduct combined joint military operations to manage both present and future challenges together and with other Allies. Nordic defence cooperation will be aligned with NATO planning and concepts. Strengthening Nordic defence cooperation will also complement and add value to the European Union, bilateral defence arrangements and regional cooperation formats.
All Nordic countries have strong transatlantic connections. The transatlantic dimension brings benefit to the Nordic and Baltic Sea security and defence cooperation. The United States’ commitment to Europe through both bilateral arrangements and NATO is of central importance to security in Europe and to Finland. The United States is an important and close partner of Finland, and defence cooperation with the United States improves Finland’s defence capability. Finland and the United States have introduced further measures to deepen their bilateral defence cooperation.
The United Kingdom is another major military player in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea region. All Nordic and Baltic countries participate in the work of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). JEF nations combine their strengths by planning, training, and operating together continuously. This allows the JEF to counter threats wherever and whenever they arise in its core regions (the High North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea), and quickly and effectively respond to military aggression as part of a broader response.
Finland is a country that has always taken her defence very seriously and keeps on investing in defence. From now on, we will do this together with our Allies. Finland shares NATO’s “360 degrees” approach to security. Global security developments increasingly affect our security and call on us to enhance security in the neighbourhood and to support those areas that face conflicts and instability. Finland’s defence capability and resilience will strengthen NATO’s collective defence throughout the territory of the Alliance, and continue contributing to the stability of Northern Europe.
Finland became member of NATO in April 2023 and Sweden will join the Alliance after remaining ratifications by Türkiye and Hungary take place. Sweden is Finland’s closest partner in security and defence policy. Our geographical location dictates that we have a clear mutual interest to cooperate as closely as possible in defence matters. New member nations bring to NATO highly capable defence forces, which are used to work with other NATO nations’ militaries. We also bring our expertise in crisis management, the Arctic region and new technologies, among others, to the Alliance.
The integration of Finnish defence into NATO’s collective defence system will no doubt entail new effects and features for both NATO and Finland. However, a number of key features in our security and defence will also remain. The “Finnish receipt” is built on issues such as high level of trust and equality within the society, strong democracy, focus on education and technological edge, as well as and strategic culture for stable long-term planning. We firmly believe that they will remain vital ingredients for security and defence of a small nation, who wants to be security provider.
Joining NATO does not change the fact that Finland´s defence continues to rely on Finnish citizens’ strong will to defend their country, society and democracy. General conscription and large well-trained reserves, as well as voluntary defence activities and comprehensive whole-of-society security system will remain among the main elements in Finnish defence. Finland will continue to promote the development of cooperation between the European Union and NATO, and to advocate the strengthening of EU’s defence cooperation.
Finland’s NATO membership will not affect the status of the Åland Islands, which is based on international treaties. The Åland Islands are part of Finland’s sovereign territory and, in accordance with the provisions of the treaties, defending its neutrality is the responsibility of Finland. The treaties are not in conflict with the obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty, including Article 5. Finland respects the demilitarisation of Åland and is prepared to take the necessary measures to defend Åland’s neutrality.
The five Nordic countries share fundamental values and security interests. We have a tradition of close defence cooperation, which is being developed further with the perspective of all five becoming also NATO Allies. The Nordic countries’ defence forces are prepared and able to conduct combined joint military operations to manage both present and future challenges together and with other Allies. Nordic defence cooperation will be aligned with NATO planning and concepts. Strengthening Nordic defence cooperation will also complement and add value to the European Union, bilateral defence arrangements and regional cooperation formats.
All Nordic countries have strong transatlantic connections. The transatlantic dimension brings benefit to the Nordic and Baltic Sea security and defence cooperation. The United States’ commitment to Europe through both bilateral arrangements and NATO is of central importance to security in Europe and to Finland. The United States is an important and close partner of Finland, and defence cooperation with the United States improves Finland’s defence capability. Finland and the United States have introduced further measures to deepen their bilateral defence cooperation.
The United Kingdom is another major military player in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea region. All Nordic and Baltic countries participate in the work of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). JEF nations combine their strengths by planning, training, and operating together continuously. This allows the JEF to counter threats wherever and whenever they arise in its core regions (the High North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea), and quickly and effectively respond to military aggression as part of a broader response.
Finland is a country that has always taken her defence very seriously and keeps on investing in defence. From now on, we will do this together with our Allies. Finland shares NATO’s “360 degrees” approach to security. Global security developments increasingly affect our security and call on us to enhance security in the neighbourhood and to support those areas that face conflicts and instability. Finland’s defence capability and resilience will strengthen NATO’s collective defence throughout the territory of the Alliance, and continue contributing to the stability of Northern Europe.