In an interview with Yle TV1 on Wednesday morning, the Minister of Defense asked why the Finnish Defense Forces (FDF) raised the level of internal security on Tuesday Antti Kaikkonen (Cen) said that "The times are such that the armed forces take their own measures," but denied that Finland was facing a military threat.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Defense Committee on Tuesday Ilkka Kanerva (NCP) told Yle that the improvement in the security situation was due to the tense situation between Ukraine and Russia.
Kaikkonen emphasized that raising the security level from the lowest to the second lowest does not mean a radical change.
"Rather, it means small deeds. The premises of the Defense Forces are guarded a little more strictly," Kaikkonen said.
No current threat
The Minister of Defense emphasized that there was currently no military threat to Finland and stated that the relationship between Finland and Russia was functioning and dialogue was being maintained.
"The main concern here is that if the situation escalates in Ukraine, it would also have spill-over effects on the whole of Europe and the Baltic Sea region." he explained.
According to Kaikkonen, in such a case the tensions were undoubtedly reflected in Finland.
"But at the moment, our borders are calm, and I can also say that Russia has moved its troops from Finland’s vicinity to the Ukrainian border." he added.
“The defense is in good shape”
Kaikkonen hoped that efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to ease tensions in Europe would continue, but Kaikkonen said that it was difficult to assess Russia’s actions.
"The situation between the West and Russia has tightened further, but it remains to be seen what forms it will take in the future."
At the same time, Kaikkonen emphasized that there is no need to question Finland’s defense capabilities.
"Our defense is in good shape. For example, we did not make the mistake of ending our own defenses after the end of the Cold War. We have taken care of our own home," Kaikkonen said.
NATO defense ministers will begin a two-day meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. The Finnish and Swedish defense ministers will participate in the discussions on Thursday as partners, but not as members of the alliance.
Source: The Nordic Page