In a recent interview published on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concerns about “problems” arising with neighboring Finland following its NATO membership earlier this year. In response, Moscow has announced the creation of a new military district in north-west Russia.
Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, joined NATO in April amid Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. Putin, in an interview with a state TV reporter, attributed the tensions to Western influence, stating, “They (the West) dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes with them? All disputes, including territorial ones in the mid-20th century, have long been solved.”
The situation has further intensified as Finland recently closed its borders with Russia, citing a surge in immigrants, primarily from the Middle East, attempting to cross. Many of these individuals are seeking asylum, leading to increased strain on border control measures.
Finland’s decision to close border crossings has been fueled by its belief that Russian authorities are deliberately encouraging migrants to travel to Finland, aiming to destabilize the country. Despite briefly reopening two border crossings last week, Finland reversed the decision, citing evidence that Russian border authorities are facilitating the movement of people without proper documentation to the Finnish border zone.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, in an interview with the Associated Press last month, stated, “We have proof showing that, unlike before, not only Russian border authorities are letting people without proper documentation to the Finnish border, but they are also actively helping them to the border zone.”
Finland’s departure from its longstanding policy of neutrality, coupled with its NATO membership and increased military activities, has strained relations with Russia. The country has escalated military training for reserve units, enhanced border surveillance, and allowed NATO planes to patrol its airspace along the Russian border—actions that have irked Moscow. As tensions persist, the establishment of a new military district by Russia reflects the ongoing geopolitical complexities in the region.
