DISINFO: Helsinki's reckless adherence to the West's policy: the reason why it cannot have good relations with Moscow
SUMMARY
Relations with Finland cannot be normalised because of its unequivocal adherence to the collective West’s current policy.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about Finland’s and Sweden’s future membership of NATO.
In fact, Finland has always been striving for good-neighbourly relations with Russia. Helsinki's decision to enter NATO is a justified attempt to protect itself as Moscow is waging its war of aggression against Ukraine. The blame for the deterioration in relations between Finland and Russia falls entirely on Moscow because it is threatening security by its aggressive behaviour in the whole of Europe. Russia also makes provocative military flights and maneuvres over its neighbours in the Baltic region. For example, a Russian Mi-17 helicopter violated Finnish airspace in May 2022. In April, Finnish authorities accused a Russian IL-96-300 of violating the country’s airspace in the Gulf of Finland. Sweden and Denmark have also experienced repeated violations or provocations by Russian planes and warships.
On 18 May 2022, Finland and Sweden simultaneously handed in their official letters of application to join NATO, a momentous step for the two historically militarily non-aligned countries. The leaders of both countries have made it clear that the decision to apply for membership is a direct consequence of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. An opinion poll conducted in early May 2022 saw over three-quarters of Finns in favour of NATO membership, whereas a mere 12% of respondents took the opposite view.
Read more disinformation cases about Finland and Sweden’s future membership of NATO and claims that NATO is posing a threat to Russia.