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 Finland |  Russia |
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| Embassy of Finland, Moscow | Embassy of Russia, Helsinki |
Relations between Finland and Russia have been conducted over many centuries, fromwars between Sweden and Russia in the early 18th century, to theplanned andrealized creation and annexation of theGrand Duchy of Finland duringNapoleonic times in the early 19th century, to the dissolution of thepersonal union between Russia andFinland after the forcedabdication of Russia's last tsar in 1917, and subsequentbirth of modern Finland. Finland had its owncivil war with involvement bySoviet Russia, was laterinvaded by theUSSR, and had itsinternal politics influenced by it. Relations since then have fluctuated over time, but worsened notably following theRussian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has an embassy in Helsinki, and a consulate inMariehamn. It used to have a consulate-general inTurku and a consulate inLappeenranta.Finland has an embassy in Moscow[1] and used to have a consulate-general inSaint Petersburg and consulate inMurmansk.
Russia has stated that it is open to normalizing relations with Finland.[2] According to Finnish presidentAlexander Stubb, Finland must be prepared for the possibility that, at some point, relations with Russia will start to open up.
From the 12th century through to the early 19th century, Sweden and Russia engaged in a series of conflicts that shaped the geopolitical landscape of Northern Europe. The earliest of these were the Swedish-Novgorodian Wars during the 12th and 13th centuries, where medieval Sweden clashed with theNovgorod Republic for control over the Baltic-Finnish region. These wars, pivotal for dominance over the vital Varangian-Byzantine trade routes through theGulf of Finland, included notable battles such as theBattle of the Neva in 1240, where the Novgorodians secured a significant victory against Swedish-led forces. The hostilities culminated in theKexholm War (1321–1323), which ended inconclusively but led to theTreaty of Nöteborg, establishing a fragile peace.[3]
Throughout the subsequent centuries, numerous minor conflicts took place between Sweden and Novgorod, gradually evolving as the Novgorod Republic gave way to the expandingGrand Duchy of Moscow, later theRussian Empire. Noteworthy among these was the Russo-Swedish War of 1475–1476, in which Sweden achieved victory over Moscow, followed by a series of contested wars in the late 15th and 16th centuries, including those from 1495–1497 and 1554–1557, which often concluded without decisive outcomes.[3]
During the reign of KingGustav Vasa of Sweden,Stockholm granted Finns the authority to manage practical relations with Russia.Vyborg became the center of power for eastern relations. A challenge in eastern relations emerged in synchronizing eastern policy with the rulers in Stockholm. At times, the Finns wished to adopt a tougher stance toward Russia, while Stockholm aimed for conciliation. At other times, the situation was reversed, with Stockholm seeking to tighten the line while Vyborg pursued reconciliation. Eastern policy was in harmony when Stockholm and Vyborg were aligned.[4]
The period from the late 16th century to the early 18th century marked intensified struggles for dominance in the Baltic region. TheLivonian War (1558–1582) saw Sweden allied successfully against the Tsardom of Russia. This was followed by more Russo-Swedish conflicts in 1590–1595 and theIngrian War (1610–1617), both with significant Swedish victories. Another war took place from 1656 to 1658, further asserting Swedish dominance.[4]
However, theGreat Northern War (1700–1721) was a turning point, culminating in a decisive coalition victory led by Russia, which marked the decline of Swedish influence and the rise of Russia as a great power. Later Russo-Swedish wars during the 18th century, including those from 1741 to 1743 and the more complex conflicts from 1788 to 1790, were marked by fluctuating outcomes, with Russia prevailing in some and stalemates or favorable results to Sweden in others.[4]
Sweden lostVyborg andKarelia to Russia as a result of its defeat in the Great Northern War. This loss deprived Sweden of an important center for eastern trade and relations. Russia sought to conquer Vyborg in order to secure the safety of the empire’s new capital,Saint Petersburg.[4][5]
After the Great Northern War, CountArvid Horn, born in Finland, rose to become the leader of theCap Party. Horn pursued peaceful relations with Russia and can be regarded as the father of Finland’s early foreign policy. The Finns were mostly supporters of the Cap Party, whereas in Sweden there were more adherents of theHat Party. The Hat Party favored an alliance withFrance and a more confrontational stance toward Russia. The Hats came to power in Sweden and launched a war against Russia in 1741, which ended in Sweden’s defeat.[5]
In 1742, during theWar of the Hats, EmpressElizabeth of Russia proposed the idea of aKingdom of Finland, which was to be established with Russian support. The Finnish estates convened at the Diet to discuss the matter, and the proposal gained some approval. However, Empress Elizabeth eventually abandoned the idea, for reasons that remain unknown.[5]
The notion of an independent Finland supported by Russia did not disappear.Georg Magnus Sprengtporten later advanced the idea of an independent Finnish republic. InSveaborg (Suomenlinna), a group known as theOrder of Walhalla operated, whose membership largely consisted of participants in theAnjala League, a group of officers who had rebelled against KingGustav III of Sweden during theRusso–Swedish War (1788.1790). The members of the Anjala League supported the concept of Finnish independence.[5]
During theNapoleonic Wars, France and Russia signed theTreaty of Tilsit in 1807. The two powers imposed a trade embargo against theUnited Kingdom. EmperorNapoleon of France and EmperorAlexander I of Russia sought to compel Sweden to join theContinental System, but Sweden refused, as Britain was its most important trading partner. This led Sweden into a two-front war: France attacked viaDenmark andNorway, while Russia invaded Finland. As a consequence of the war, Sweden ceded Finland to Russia.[5]
The final war between these two powers in this period was theFinnish War (1808–1809). This war resulted in a Russian victory and dramatically reshaped the region by ending Swedish rule over Finland. Finland was then ceded to Russia, becoming an autonomous grand duchy, a change that significantly alteredNorthern European political dynamics and set the stage for future national developments.[4]
In 1809, in accordance withTreaty of Fredrikshamn Sweden surrendered Finland to Russia, and theDiet of Porvoo pledged loyalty to Russian EmperorAlexander I. In turn, Alexander I granted Finland, for the first time in Finnish history,statehood as theGrand Duchy of Finland.[6]
In addition, on December 11, 1811, Russia transferred to Finland theVyborg Governorate, that Russia acquired from Sweden earlier in 1721 and 1743. Under the rule of Russian tsars Finland kept all the taxes collected on its territory, the decisions of Finnish courts were not subject of review by Russian courts, and all government positions (except for the Governor General) were occupied by natives of Finland.[5][7]
TheEmperor of Russia was theGrand Duke of Finland, who approved decisions concerning Finland. These decisions were presented to the Emperor by the Finnish Secretary of State, later known as theMinister-Secretary of Statefor Finland in Saint Petersburg. The Emperor’s representative in Finland was theGovernor-Generalof Finland, who supervised the work of theImperial Senate of Finland. The Senate of Finland functioned in practice as an advisory body that also implemented and oversaw the execution of decisions. The Senate was divided into an Economic Department and a Judicial Department. The Vice-Chairman of the Economic Department effectively acted as thePrime Minister of Finland. The Governor-General of Finland served as the chairman of both departments, although he rarely assumed this authority in practice.[5][8]
In the early years of the Grand Duchy of Finland, theCommittee for Finnish Affairs was the most influential body concerning matters related to Finland. Its considerable influence was largely due to CountGustaf Mauritz Armfelt. Another notable member of the Committee was CountJohan Fredrik Aminoff. Armfelt played a decisive role in the relocation of Finland’s capital fromTurku toHelsinki in 1812. He was also instrumental in the incorporation ofOld Finland into the rest of the country. Furthermore, he influenced the establishment of three infantry regiments in Finland whenNapoleon invaded Russia in 1812. The regiments formed the foundation for the establishment of theFinnish Guard. Armfelt developed a particularly close and confidential relationship with Emperor Alexander I.[9]
In 1814, the Russian army, led by Emperor Alexander I, marched intoParis. Finnish officers and soldiers participated in the occupation of the city. TheFinnish House of Nobility was established in 1818. The nobility of the Grand Duchy of Finland largely consisted of the sameFinnish noble families that had held rank during the Swedish era. In 1819, Alexander I undertook an extensive journey through Finland, during which he visited various manors and conferred the titles ofbaron andcount upon few individuals.[5]
After theNapoleonic Wars, Finland entered a period of stabilization. The country had to adapt to new political circumstances, but the transition was eased by the preservation of the laws inherited from Swedish rule. A passport and customs boundary was instituted between Finland and Russia, meaning that crossing the border was permitted only by special authorization. This arrangement limited interaction between Finns and Russians. Finland did not possess an independent foreign policy but adhered instead to that of theRussian Empire.[5]
During the final years of Alexander I's reign, few significant decisions were made in Finland. After Alexander’s death, Nicholas I ascended to the Russian throne. He was immediately confronted with suppressing theDecembrist uprising in Saint Petersburg in 1825. Nicholas’s rule is often characterised as reactionary and conservative, given his opposition to the ideals of theFrench Revolution. His guiding principles becameautocracy, nationalism, and adherence to the Orthodox faith.[5]
Nicholas I supported trade and industrialisation. While the notable industrial growth ofTampere had begun during Alexander I’s reign, it attained considerable prominence under Nicholas. Tampere became home to the largest enterprise in theNordic countries,Finlayson, and to the region’s largest textile industry.[5][10]
In 1830, aPolish uprising sought to challenge Russian rule. TheFinnish Guard took part in suppressing the rebellion. Finland remained a loyal component of the empire, and Nicholas I praised it as the most peaceful and faithful part of the imperial realm.[5]
Finland’s societal development was constrained by governance through imperial decrees. No new laws were enacted, as Nicholas I declined to convene the Finnish Diet.[5][11]
Russia launched theCrimean War in 1853. The objective of the Russian Empire was to conquer the coastlines of theBlack Sea and to secure a strategic foothold on theBosporus Strait. TheUnited Kingdom and France entered the conflict on the side of theOttoman Empire against Russia.[5]
In 1854, the war expanded to the shores of theBaltic Sea. British and French naval forces arrived along the coasts of Russia, Finland, andEstonia in theGulf of Finland. Their aim was to destroy Russian warships and sever the supply routes to the imperial capital, Saint Petersburg. The Russian fleet was moved behind the fortifications ofKronstadt andSuomenlinna for protection. The British and French fleets bombarded Finland’s coastal fortresses, towns, ports, shipyards, grain stores, and merchant vessels. The destruction of civilian targets contributed to the emergence offamine in Finland in the following years after theÅland War.[5]
Alexander II ascended to the throne of Russia in 1855. His reign marked a period of significant progress and prosperity for Finland.[5]
Emperor Alexander IIabolished serfdom in Russia in 1861, but this reform did not affect the Finns, as there had never been slavery or serfdom in Finland throughout its history. Finnish peasants were free.[5]
At the turn of the 1850s and 1860s, Alexander initiated the construction of Finland’s railway network. The first railway connection between Helsinki andHämeenlinna was completed in 1862, and the line between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg was finished in 1870. The development of the railway infrastructure had a profound impact on Finland’s economic growth and industrialisation.[5]
Alexander visited Finland in 1863, where he received the Language Manifesto inHattula and signed it in Hämeenlinna. He supportedFinnish nationalism by granting theFinnish language equal status alongsideSwedish.[5]
Emperor Alexander II convened the Finnish Diet in 1863, which was held in Helsinki. This was a significant event since the Diet of Porvoo in 1809 and marked the beginning of regular legislative activity in Finland. It also represented an important acknowledgment by the Tsar of Finland’s loyalty as part of the Russian Empire.[5]
Alexander II had already approved the establishment of theFinnish markka in 1860, and Finland’s first Limited Liability Company Act was enacted in 1864. During the 1860s, Finland adopted several major financial laws that accelerated the development of capital markets and business enterprises. The creation of the Finnish markka contributed to the diversification and modernization of Finnish banking operations.[5]
During the reign of Alexander II, Finland participated in theBelle Époque era. The country advanced socially, economically, culturally, and in terms of civic organization. The children of Finland’s upper-class families attended thePage Corps in Saint Petersburg and theHamina Cadet School. Members of the university community and the educated class sought academic knowledge fromGermany, while figures of the cultural sphere drew inspiration from Saint Petersburg and Paris.[5]
Finland’s two overwhelmingly largest trading partners were Russia and theBritish Empire. The importance of theGerman Empire as a commercial partner increased in the following decades, yet Germany never surpassed Britain and Russia.[5]
TheSaimaa Canal was opened in 1856, and the railway between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg began operation in 1870. The notable expansion of trade with the East transformed the city ofVyborg into a significant centre of commerce and culture. The opening of the railway also contributed to the development ofZelenogorsk - then part of Finland - into a popular holiday resort for the Russian, Finnish, and international upper classes. Zelenogorsk later gained the nickname “the Riviera of the Baltic Sea.”[5]
In 1880, theAlexander Theatre in Helsinki became an important institution that presented Russian art and culture to the Finnish audience.[12]
After Alexander II, the Russian throne passed toAlexander III, who spent his summer days at the imperial fishing lodge ofLanginkoski. He greatly appreciated Finland’s peaceful and secure environment.[5]
The years of oppression that undermined the autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland began with the postal manifesto initiated by Alexander III in 1890. Russia feared the growing nationalism of the empire’s minority peoples, and actions were launched in Saint Petersburg to bring greater unity to the empire. In Finland, the situation was met with shock and disappointment, since the country had been the most peaceful and loyal part of the empire. The repressive measures directed against Finland in practice only strengthened the Finns’ national consciousness.[5][7]
Finnish officers and soldiers took part in victorious wars against theOttoman Empire, theCaucasus, andCentral Asia. During theRussian conquest of Central Asia, Finnish GeneralJohan Fredrik Gustav Aminoff served as the military governor ofSamarkand.[5]
In 1899, the first period ofRussification began whenNicholas II forced theFebruary Manifesto of 1899 through theFinnish senate. The manifesto asserted the Russian Imperial Government's de jure right to rule over Finland and attempted to remove many of the freedom's granted by previous tsars. The most contentious policies introduced during this time were the Language Manifesto of 1900, which madeRussian the administrative language of Finland and the 1901 conscription law which forced Finnish citizens to serve in theImperial Russian Army.[7]
Between 1904 and 1905, theRusso-Japanese War resulted in a significant Russian defeat. The conflict triggered widespread demonstrations across the Russian Empire, which compelled Tsar Nicholas II to make concessions. Alongside the establishment of theRussian Duma, theParliament of Finland was founded in 1907. Prior to this, in 1906, Finland’s estates dissolved themselves as political classes.[7]
The Russification campaign was suspended at the outset of theRussian Revolution of 1905 and was reinstated during the second period of Russification in 1908 which was subsequently suspended for the last time in 1914 at the outset of theFirst World War.[7]
In 1910, Finland's exports to Russia accounted for 27.4 percent. DuringWorld War I, exports were 44 percent in 1914 and 92.3 percent in 1916. Finland's export economy supported the empire's war efforts.[13]
The First World War began in 1914. Russia’s allies were the United Kingdom and France. Russia fought against the German Empire,Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Finnish officers and soldiers participated in the operations of the Russian army, the most famous of whom was BaronCarl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.[7]
In Finland, there were opponents of Russian rule known as theJägerMovement. They received military training in the German Empire in a secret operation. The Finnish Jägers took part in battles against Russia.[7]
During the First World War, the dream of Finnish independence was not yet mainstream. Finns were more interested in preserving the autonomous Grand Duchy.[7][14]
In 1917, large-scale demonstrations broke out in Russia. InPetrograd, there were major protests and strikes. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne, which led to theFebruary Revolution and the establishment of the bourgeoisRussian Republic. The Russian Republic collapsed as a result of theCommunist October Revolution. Finland declared itself independent in December 1917, andSoviet Russia recognized Finland’s independence.[7]
The Russian October Revolution plunged Soviet Russia into acivil war, pitting the Red Communists against the White forces advocating for the restoration of tsarist rule. Along the border between Finland and Soviet Russia in theKarelian Isthmus, large refugee flows took shape. Members of theRomanov family, as well as princes, counts, barons, and other members of the upper class, sought refuge in Finland. Many continued their journey from Finland to France, Britain, the United States, and Canada. Some, however, remained in Finland, among them members of theDemidov family.[5][15]
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With the Russian Empire's collapse duringWorld War I, Finland took the opportunity to declare itsfull independence, which was shortly recognized by the USSR"in line with the principle of nationalself-determination that was held by Lenin."[16]
Following theFinnish Civil War andOctober Revolution, Russians were virtually equated with Communists and due to official hostility to Communism, Finno-Soviet relations in the period between the world wars remained tense. During these years Karelia was a highly Russian occupied military ground; the operation was led by Russian general Waltteri Asikainen. Most ethnic Russians, who lived in Finland prior to 1918, immigrated to other countries, primarily Germany and USA.
Finland regarded itself to be at war with Soviet Russia, as the latter had supported Finnish communists during the Civil War. The Finnish state did not participate in the so-calledKinship Wars; rather, they were undertaken by Finnish volunteers. Voluntary activists arranged expeditions toKarelia, which ended when Finland and theRussian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic signed theTreaty of Tartu in 1920. Finland obtainedPechenga for itself in the Treaty of Tartu, which became an important port during the Second World War.[17]
Between the First and Second World Wars, trade between the two countries collapsed. In the 1920s, trade accounted for only 3 percent, and in the 1930s just under one percent. The reason lay in the fact that Finland was acapitalist society, while the Soviet Union represented aplanned economy. From the perspective of commerce, it was difficult to reconcile the two countries’ economic systems.[13]
Finland fought two wars against the Soviet Union during World War II: theWinter War and theContinuation War. The Finns suffered 89,108 dead or missing military personnel during these wars[18][19][20] but inflicted severe casualties on the Soviet Union: 26,875–167,976 dead or missing during the Winter War[21][22] and 250,000–305,000 dead or missing during the Continuation War.[20][22] Finland ceded 11% of its territory - including the major cityVyborg - to the Soviet Union, but prevented the Soviets from annexing Finland into the Soviet Union. Of all thecontinental European nations combating, as part of World War II,Helsinki andMoscow were the only capitals not occupied.[20]
After the Second World War, Finland was the only part of the former Russian Empire that had not fallen under communist rule.[5]
After the Second World War, Finland signed theAgreement of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union in 1948. TheEastern Bloc countries had also signed similar agreements, but Finland was an exception, as its system was based on democracy and amarket economy.[23]
During theCold War, Finland’s foreign policy continued along the path of neutrality that it had pursued since the 1930s. PresidentsJuho Kusti Paasikivi andUrho Kekkonen became regarded as guarantors of this foreign policy line. The guiding principle of neutrality was that Finland remained outside the conflicts between great powers, with the objective of maintaining stable and established conditions in the country. The Soviet Union recognized Finland'sneutrality in 1956.[23]
Trade between Finland and the Soviet Union began under five-year agreements in 1950. The two countries engaged inbilateral trade.[24]
In the 1958 parliamentary elections, theFinnish People’s Democratic League emerged as the largest party in the Parliament, but it was not accepted into the government. This led to a political crisis known as theNight FrostCrisis between Finland and the Soviet Union. The situation was resolved when theAgrarian League decided to withdraw from the government, after which Urho Kekkonen appointedV. J. Sukselainen to form a new cabinet.[23]
Note Crisis was other a political crisis between Soviet–Finnish relations in 1961. Note Crisis (Nootti) was connected to theBerlin crisis that happened in the same year.
In 1975, the Soviet Union became Finland’s largest export market. Trade reached its peak in the early 1980s, and thanks to prosperous Eastern trade, some of the largest companies in theNordic region operated in Finland. The Soviet Union remained Finland’s largest trading partner until the collapse of the Soviet Union.[5]
Throughout the Cold War, Finland joined Western economic cooperation within the limits of its foreign policy latitude. The Soviet Union accepted Finland’s becoming an associate member ofEFTA in 1961. Finland became a full member of EFTA in 1985, which provoked negative reactions in Moscow. Finland also joined Western Europe’s technology program, Eureka. In the Soviet Union, this course of development was regarded as “right-wing.” At the same time, the Soviet economy faced difficulties, which caused a decline in trade between Finland and the Soviet Union.[25]
The Soviet Union drifted to the point of collapse at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. TheBaltic states began to demand independence. TheUnited States never recognized the incorporation of the Baltic states into the Soviet Union. The United States also warned the Balts not to “rock the boat.” Finland likewise had no influence over the situation of the Baltic states, which is why it maintained a low profile regarding their recognition.[26][27]
During the period 1988–1991 when the Baltic states were pursuing independence from the Soviet Union, Finland initially avoided supporting the Baltic independence movement publicly, but did support it in the form of practical co-operation. However, after the failed1991 August Coup in Russia, Finland recognized the Baltic states and restored diplomatic relations with them.[28]
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Finland abandoned the restrictions imposed by theParis Peace Treaty signed in 1947. At the same time, the 1948 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance was terminated and replaced in 1992 by a new agreement: the Treaty between the Republic of Finland and the Russian Federation on the Foundations of Relations.[29]
In the post–Cold War world, Finland oriented itself toward membership in theEuropean Union and partnership with NATO through thePartnership for Peace programme. As an EU member, Finland proposed the initiative for theNorthern Dimension.[5][30]
During the 1990s, Russia fell into a state of social, political, and economic upheaval. Governments changed frequently, while inflation and interest rates remained high. The transition toward capitalism and democracy produced various negative side effects.[31]
Finland's exports to Russia were at their highest in 2008. At that time, Russia became Finland's largest export destination. According to statistics, in 2008 Finnish exports to Russia totaled around 7.6 billion euros, accounting for nearly 12 percent of Finland's goods exports. This marked a peak period before a subsequent decline due to theglobal financial crisis and other factors.[32]
Finland had a positive attitude toward theNord Stream gas pipeline built betweenGermany and Russia. Former Finnish Prime MinisterPaavo Lipponen lobbied in favor of the pipeline.[33]
Finland’s relations with Russia were functional in the 2000s. PresidentTarja Halonen received PresidentsVladimir Putin andDmitry Medvedev in Finland. Halonen made reciprocal visits to Russia. Halonen visited Russia 27 times during her presidency. Finnish major corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises found the Russian market. Finland imported raw materials and energy from Russia. Russian tourism in Finland increased, and many Russians purchased holiday homes in Finland. A high-speedAllegro train connection was built between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg. In 2011, the border was crossed ten million times.[34][35][7]
Sauli Niinistö became President of Finland in 2012. He established functional relations with President Putin. In 2014, Russia annexed theCrimean Peninsula fromUkraine. The European Union imposed economic sanctions against Russia, which Finland adhered to. The EU sanctions were limited in scope, and as a result, Finland’s economic relations with Russia largely remained unchanged. Trade between Finland and Russia had already declined from its peak in 2008, a downward trend driven by the global financial crisis, the fall in oil prices, the weakening of the ruble, and the EU sanctions.[36][37][38][39]
President Niinistö’s guiding principle in foreign policy became the so-called policy of stability, through which he sought to improve relations between the West and Russia. An example of this was the meeting between U.S. PresidentDonald Trump and President Putin at the2018 Russia–United States Summit.[40][41]
In August 2019, President Vladimir Putin paid a working visit to Finland, during which President Sauli Niinistö hosted a dinner for Putin and his entourage atSuomenlinna.[42]
The most recent meeting between the Presidents of Finland and Russia to date took place in Moscow in October 2021. The hiatus of several years was the result of theCOVID-19 pandemic. At the time of the meeting, Moscow was experiencing a significant surge in new infections. The Presidents discussed Arctic cooperation and the restoration of the Allegro train service, which had been suspended due to the pandemic.[43]
After the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine started, Finland, as one of the EU countries, imposed sanctions on Russia, and Russia added all EU countries to the list of "unfriendly nations".[44]
In September 2022, Finland announced that it would not offerasylum to Russians fleeingmobilization.[45]
On 6 June 2023 Finland expelled nine Russian diplomats, believed to be working for an intelligence service. In July 2023 Russia ordered the closure of the St Petersburg consulate and expelled nine diplomats. Entry into Finland for Russian citizens will be limited for an indefinite period.[46]
Having introduced a ban on Russian registered cars entering Finland in September, a ban on Russians on bicycles was introduced in November 2023.[47] Four of the eight eastern border crossings were closed for three months by Finland in November.
In November 2023, Finnish Prime MinisterPetteri Orpo announced the closure of all but the northernmost border crossing with Russia, amid a sudden increase inasylum seekers seeking to enter Finland via Russia. Finland accused Russia of deliberately usingrefugees as weapons as part of itshybrid warfare following worsening relations between the two countries.Frontex subsequently announced that the EU would assist Finland in securing its eastern border.[48][49]
Russia is suspected of large-scale spying on the IT networks at theFinnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The spying focused on data traffic between Finland and theEuropean Union, and is believed to have continued for four years. The spying was uncovered in spring 2013, and as of October 2013[update] theFinnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) was investigating the breach.[50]
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BeforeRussia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia was a major trade partner of Finland and cross-border business was considered strategic. Finland imported a large amount of raw materials, fuels and electricity from Russia.Finland operates the 1 GWLoviisa Nuclear Power Plant with Soviet technology, and (until May 2022) planned the 1.2 GWHanhikivi Nuclear Power Plant with Russian technology. From midnight 13—14 May 2022, Russia suspended electricity supplies to Finland,[51] forcing Finland to rely more on and improve its grid connections withNorway,Sweden andEstonia.
In December 2021,Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs pressured Finland and Sweden to refrain from joiningNATO. Russia claims that NATO's persistent invitations for the two countries to join the military alliance would have major political and military consequences which would threaten stability in the Nordic region. Furthermore, Russia sees Finland's inclusion in NATO as a threat to Russian national security since the United States would likely be able to deploy military equipment in Finland if the country were to join NATO.[52]
However, on 1 January 2022, Finland's president,Sauli Niinistö, reasserted Finnish sovereignty by stating that the Finnish government reserved the right to apply for NATO membership. Furthermore, Niinistö said that Russian demands threaten the "European security order". Additionally, he believes that transatlantic cooperation is needed for the maintenance of sovereignty and security of some EU member states, including Finland.[53]
| Dates conducted | Pollster | Client | Sample size | Support | Oppose | Neutral orDK | Lead | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–16 Jan 2022 | Kantar TNS | Helsingin Sanomat | 1003 | 28% | 42% | 30% | 14% | [54] |
| 24 February 2022 | Russia invades Ukraine | |||||||
| 4–15 Mar 2022 | Taloustutkimus | EVA | 2074 | 60% | 19% | 21% | 41% | [55] |
| 9–10 May 2022 | Kantar TNS | Helsingin Sanomat | 1002 | 73% | 12% | 15% | 61% | [56] |
In the wake of the 24 February 2022Russian invasion of Ukraine, support among the Finnish populace for NATO membership increased from below 30% to 60-70%.[57][58] On 12 May 2022, Finnish President Niinistö and Finnish Prime MinisterSanna Marin announced that Finland would begin the process of applying for NATO membership.[59][60] On 18 May 2022, Finland formally applied to join NATO,simultaneously with Sweden.[61] Finland formally became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023 during a scheduled summit,[62] finalizing the fastest accession process in the treaty's history.[63]
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