Russia has repeatedly threatened Finland with “serious consequences” if the country becomes a member of NATO.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also announced on Wednesday that they will create a new defense unit in the northwest of the countryin response to the proposed inclusion of Sweden and Finland in the defense alliance.
Finland’s defense chief still sees no reason for the Finns to worry about threats from the east. There is currently no military threat to Finland, he says in an important interview with Evening newspaper.
– The most important thing is that we have an updated defense plan. Over the past year it has been fine-tuned, Kivinen tells the paper.
Putin’s promises: – Feverish fantasies
I think the threshold is high
In its annual threat assessment writes Danish intelligence that Russia is likely to increase its threatening rhetoric against both Sweden and Finland in the future.
The intelligence service believes it will involve threats to direct nuclear weapons against targets in the two countries.
Finland’s defense chief believes Vladimir Putin’s threshold for taking nuclear threats seriously is very high.
– The use of nuclear weapons would immediately change the entire global situation. I think this is also the understanding in Russia, says Kivinen.
In the same way that the West will not enter into direct military conflict with Russia, he believes Russia will also avoid actions that could escalate the conflict.
This is also the assessment among several Norwegian experts – that the real threat of the world’s largest nuclear arsenal being used is low.
Expert: – Loose mindset
Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) was not surprised when his Russian counterpart announced a strengthening of defense in the northwest.
– Norway has increased preparedness in line with the development of the situation and we will continue to monitor the situation closely, says Gram in a comment to NTB.
Several experts believe that Norway has little to fear.
Arne Bård Dalhaug, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of the defense staff, believes that Russia is unable to set up a new military unit on its border with Finland in the short term.
– It’s completely unrealistic. In five or ten years’ perspective, that might be possible, if the war in Ukraine ends. You need to produce enough equipment and build a whole new department. It’s not something that happens overnight, Dalhaug added The newspaper Wednesday afternoon.
– I see it as a free thought, added Dalhaug.
