Putin's Russia begins the "weeks of revenge" of Finland — the Saimaa Channel was the first to be distributed
Most likely, Finland's application for NATO membership will be sent in mid-May, Ilta-Sanomat reports. Then weeks of torment will begin for the country, the author of the editorial writes. This time may be morally difficult for Finns.
Editorial article
The Finnish Parliament is discussing a report on security policy, the president and the government are preparing to apply for NATO membership — independently or together with Sweden. Most likely, the application will be sent around the middle of May. Then weeks of torment will begin for Finland: submitting an application to NATO and its consideration do not yet give Finland any military guarantees.
Russia has repeatedly reported retaliatory actions if Finland and Sweden join NATO. It seems that changes may occur during the application review period.
On April 27, Finland faced Russia's first reaction: the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia reported that the State Duma was ready to break the lease agreement for the Saimaa Canal. The Saimaa Canal is considered a symbol of good-neighborly relations between Finland and the USSR. The Soviet Union leased sections of the canal on both sides of the border under an agreement concluded in the early 1960s. At that time, the USSR and Finland had an Agreement on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.
President Urho Kekkonen opened the reconstructed canal in 1968. The canal became a small compensation for Karelia lost by Finland after the Continuation War (Finland's war with the USSR in 1941-1944 - ed.). The Saimaa Canal is one of the most important transport arteries of Finland, and in the near future it was planned to repair the canal.
The current lease agreement for the Saimaa Canal is valid until 2062.
Threats to break the agreements indicate that a period of tension is coming in relations between Finland and Russia, the duration of which is difficult to predict.
Hanna Smith, head of research at the European Center for the Study of Hybrid Threats, told Helsingin Sanomat that Russia's response actions can be divided into three stages: before submitting an application to NATO, during the application review period and the stage when Finland joins NATO.
What should Finns expect?
At a minimum, hybrid attacks that will disrupt the work of society.
For example, attempts may be made to block banking services. In addition, a theatrical transfer of troops may begin at the border, the "rumble of caterpillars", the Russian fleet may interfere with the trade communication of Finland and Sweden by sea. Russia may violate Finnish airspace — more provocatively than before.
In the speeches of Russian politicians, who are already going beyond the boundaries of reality, Finland is called a fascist state.
The harbingers of such a development of relations were noticeable even before Russia's special operation in Ukraine.
The termination of the Saimaa Canal lease agreement will be the beginning of Finland's "weeks of revenge" — which, unfortunately, may drag on.
The Finnish Defense Forces are in excellent shape, the country is able to brilliantly repel cyber attacks. Finland is able to calmly endure such difficulties, but still the Russian threats may prove to be a difficult time for many.
During the coronavirus pandemic, countries are used to discussing crises.
Now this skill is useful in connection with the tense situation in security policy. Timely receipt of information, instructions from the authorities, high-quality journalism should overshadow the noise in social networks and attempts to influence.
Now Finland is neighboring a country that is actively demonstrating its military might.
