Russian general warns Finland about Nato, military exercises

[Tiriol]

As reported by YLE News: Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces complains about Finland's close ties to Nato.

Russian armed forces chief critical of Finnish-Nato cooperation
Russia's top military commander told a gathering in Helsinki Tuesday that Finland should not desire NATO membership. Instead, he offered closer cooperation with Russia.

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia Nikolai Yegorovich Makarov gave a presentation Tuesday at an event organized by Finland's National Defence Courses Association at the University of Helsinki.

"Military cooperation between Russia and NATO is progressing well and is beneficial to both parties. In contrast, cooperation between Finland and NATO threatens Russia's security. Finland should not be desirous of NATO membership, rather it should preferably have tighter military cooperation with Russia," said Makarov.

Makarov accused Finland of supporting attempts by Georgian "revanchists" to retake South Ossetia and Abkhazia. He also questioned Finland's right to hold military exercises on its own territory.

"Who are they aimed against?" he asked.

Sources Yle

And Finland's Defence Minister's answer...

Defence Minister Wallin: Finland decides independently
Defence Minister Stefan Wallin gave his reaction to Tuesday's comments by the Russian Chief of the General Staff, stating that Finland will make its own evaluations and own decisions about NATO independently.

Defence Minister Wallin provided his YLE in an SMS text.

"Positions can be freely presented in Finland. This is a free country," wrote Wallin.

"But, Finland evaluates its relationship with NATO, in the manner laid out in the government's programme, on the basis of its own national security and defence policy interests. This statement means that Finland makes its evaluations and decisions itself and independently," the Defence Minister stated in his message to Yle.

Sources Yle

I wonder what on earth the Russian general thought would be the reaction? Finns are notoriously Russophobic and this won't help it at all. If anything it will remind people of the good old times of Soviet pressure. And if Helsingin Sanomat newspaper is correct, the man also expressed displeasure at the Nordic military cooperation. How would that threaten Russia, besides making Finland harder to bully?

About holding military exercises: apparently (if Helsingin Sanomat is correct) Makarov was bothered by Finnish military exercises near the eastern border. Maybe a valid concern - if one thinks that Finland is about to attack Russia. Which it isn't going to do unless the entire leadership consists of proper loonies.

[Highlord Laan]

Yegorovich was probably having Simo Hayha flashbacks.

[Sidewinder]

"Military cooperation between Russia and NATO is progressing well and is beneficial to both parties. In contrast, cooperation between Finland and NATO threatens Russia's security. Finland should not be desirous of NATO membership, rather it should preferably have tighter military cooperation with Russia," said Makarov.

Eastern European nations- Romania being one example- see joining NATO as a fast track to gaining US financial aid, membership in the EU, free trade with Western (wealthier) European nations and $$$. What can Russia offer to beat that? For all the complaints about income inequality in the US, the Russian oligarchs are presenting themselves as being WORSE. Their diplomatic influence is weak, as a direct consequence of their economic weakness- and how big is the Russian market for Finland's main exports?

[Sidewinder]

Just checked Wikipedia- Finland is ALREADY an EU member, which means it's diplomatically and economically (and therefore, militarily) closer to many NATO members, than it will ever be with Russia (barring the unlikely possibility of Russia joining NATO or the EU).

[PeZook]

"Who are they aimed against?" he asked.

Yeah, I wonder what possible reason the Finns might have for being wary of a certain large and powerful country on their border

[Spoonist]

"Who are they aimed against?" he asked.

Yeah, I wonder what possible reason the Finns might have for being wary of a certain large and powerful country on their border

Sweden?
They did exploit finland for about ten times as long as the ruskies...

[Thanas]

"Who are they aimed against?" he asked.

Yeah, I wonder what possible reason the Finns might have for being wary of a certain large and powerful country on their border

Please ignore the man behind the iron curtain.

[Irbis]

Eastern European nations- Romania being one example- see joining NATO as a fast track to gaining US financial aid, membership in the EU, free trade with Western (wealthier) European nations and $$$.

You're comparing Finland to Romania and Bulgaria? Say what?

What can Russia offer to beat that? Their diplomatic influence is weak, as a direct consequence of their economic weakness- and how big is the Russian market for Finland's main exports?

Big news flash for you - Finland went from poor agricultural state where 55% people worked in agriculture to one of the richest countries in the world precisely because Finland deliberately opened to USSR after WWII, making Finland main exporter of advanced goods to Russia, despite best US efforts*. That changed after 1989, as Finland was no longer solo, privileged exporter, but still, Russia is Finland's second export partner (after Germany) and primary import partner, making Russian market of huge importance to Finland.

*like the one time when Finland sold USSR civilian Mir submarines - USA protested, effectively destroying Finland's submarine production capability in retaliation, all due to threat 2 small, unarmed scientific vessels posed

Just checked Wikipedia- Finland is ALREADY an EU member, which means it's diplomatically and economically (and therefore, militarily) closer to many NATO members, than it will ever be with Russia (barring the unlikely possibility of Russia joining NATO or the EU).

That is completely and utterly wrong. Outside of Nordic countries, Finland has far better ties to Russia than to almost any other EU country. Heck, there wouldn't even be Finland or Finnish language without Russia, and in recognition of it, Russian Tzar still has a prominent monument in Finland's capital.

[Lord Revan]

Cooldown Irbis

While it's true that economically Finland is in way more better condition then any of the ex-soviet satelities there's no reason to be butt hurt over it, at least they recognize that we exist as an independent country.

that said Irbis is right about the ties with Russia, Finland has very strong historical ties with 3 countries, Russia, Sweden and Germany.