NATO is bringing ground troops to Finland because the long eastern border must be secured for both Finland and NATO, says the Finnish ambassador to NATO.
The security situation in Europe has weakened significantly due to the war in Ukraine.
– At the moment, no change for the better can be seen, he says Piritta AsunmaaFinland’s ambassador to NATO.
Two years ago, NATO identified Russia as the most significant direct military threat. Then Russia had invaded Ukraine.
This summer, at the summit in Washington, the threat was also said to last a long time and to be multidimensional.
Asunmaa knows NATO deeply and is a NATO ambassador for the second time. The last time was when Russia had just occupied Crimea in 2014 and Finland was only a NATO partner.
At that time, NATO stripped itself of the uniform of a crisis management organization and began to re-equip itself to defend its allies.
In many places, NATO is building its defense almost from scratch
Although NATO is united and determined, according to Asunmaa, it does not change the fact that the equipment lasts and costs money.
– For decades, common deterrence and defense were neglected, Asunmaa says.
Responsibilities have been allocated to member countries in defense planning, which must be strengthened. The plans are not public.
In the summer, the Financial Times reported, citing diplomatic sources, that NATO only has five percent of the capabilities needed for air defense on the eastern edge.
– Air and missile defense is part of the central goals, Asunmaa answers.
Strengthening NATO’s eastern border will also bring ground troops to Finland
In Finland and NATO, it is said that Finland and Sweden joining NATO will bring more security to NATO, because the countries have a strong defense.
There is another side to the matter. It is Finland’s 1,340-kilometer anti-Russian border that must be secured.
– It is clear that since we have a strategic location next to Russia, it is also in NATO’s interest to have a military presence in Finland.
So far, Finland is the only country on NATO’s eastern edge that does not have permanent ground troops from other NATO countries.
This will change when the headquarters of NATO’s Northern European ground forces and ground forces from other NATO countries come to Finland.
Even when joining NATO in April 2023, Finland did not think it needed the troops of other countries. The mind changed and in February Finland announced its wishes.
– It is clear that it took some time before we understood what it means to be militarily allied.
We also had to plan how Finland’s defense would be part of NATO’s other defense and deterrence. However, Asunmaa likes the pace.
The details of the NATO forces in Finland and the more precise model of the presence are being refined. Finland has outlined troops that would train here regularly and would be there if the situation were to escalate. In other countries, the ground forces are always present.
We also need countries that are willing and able to bring troops to Finland. Although the ground forces are a peacetime activity, it makes sense to ask for troops from countries that would defend Finland even in a real situation.
According to , preliminary negotiations with several countries are underway. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said this week that Sweden is investigating its participation in these so-called FLF forward land forces.
According to ‘s sources, a so-called framework state, i.e. a country responsible for the troops coming to Finland, has not yet been found.
According to Asunmaa, the ground force presence also forms the so-called first response, with which NATO would respond to a military threat or use of force against a member country. Therefore, participating in this activity is a significant commitment.
The new appointment brings Finland closer to the core of NATO
Thanks to its strong defense capability, Finland is a “medium-sized” player in NATO, says Asunmaa.
Finland’s expertise is trusted in NATO in many areas. The most recent example is Tarja Jaakkolan appointment as Deputy Secretary General responsible for NATO’s defense investments. He starts at the beginning of September.
According to Asunmaa, the appointment was surprising considering that Finland has only been a member for a year and a half. The appointment also benefits Finland.
– It gives us better access to the internal discussion at NATO’s leadership level, Asunmaa says.