As the war rages, Finns steel themselves for what may lie ahead

• Published date: 25 April 2022
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)

IN the weeks since war broke out in Europe, thousands of Finns have signed up with training associations to sharpen their military skills or learn new ones such as first aid

For the first time in Finland’s history, a majority of Finns are in favour of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defensive alliance.

Many people say they are alarmed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and want to keep their military training up-to-date.

There is an extra energy in the air, perhaps best shown by the increased membership and anxious chatter over the the social media channels of the Vantaa Reserves Association, the local chapter of the Finnish Reservists’ Association.

More than a quarter of its 1354 members have joined in the past several weeks.

‘‘Our president says we are not scared, but we are aware,’’ Vantaa member Antti Kettunen said, dressed in combat boots, a camouflage vest and shirt, and olive green pants.

‘‘That’s quite nice to say, but where else do they [the Russians] go if the plan is to make The Great Russia, from Lisbon to the Japanese sea?’’

Finland remains one of the few European nations with mandatory military service, primarily due to its 1335km shared border and memories of battles with Russia during the past century.

That history has also shaped its politics, which focused on neutrality during the Cold War and walking a middle ground between the West and Russia ever since as key to maintaining its independence.

For years, joining Nato, which was created to limit Soviet expansion, seemed like a distant possibility for many Finns.

Now, it is an urgent option for many, some Finns noting Ukraine’s efforts to join the alliance were rebuffed before it was invaded.

In recent weeks, Finnish officials have engaged in a whirlwind of meetings with European officials and officials say the country’s politicians could begin the process of joining Nato by the northern hemisphere summer.

That is despite threats from Moscow about the possible consequences for the nation of 5.5million should it take that route.

‘‘We never let our guard down after the Cold War ended, as many European Countries did,’’ Finnish Ministry of Defence director-general Janne Kuusela said.

‘‘In that sense, we’re well placed to defend ourselves if need be in the future.’’

Kuusela said there was no direct threat to Finland from Russia, but there were concerns among Finns about a prolonged period of instability in Europe.

The two countries had previously enjoyed lots of cross-border...