Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in an interview with the Rzeczpospolita newspaper on February 19 that Finland does not expect an immediate attack from Russia, but that Helsinki is ready for it.
“We have one of the strongest militaries in NATO with a very strong reserve,” the Finnish Prime Minister said.
Also read: Russian diplomat says Finland will be the first to suffer from NATO expansion
“There are 800,000 people that we can mobilize at a moment’s notice with weapons. So we’re talking about a very effective deterrent. We don’t expect an immediate attack from Russia, but we can’t prepare. I am.”
Olpo said Russia is now a threat to all countries in Europe.
“The whole of Europe has to wake up,” the Finnish official said.
Also read: EU foreign ministry official says Europeans need to better understand the Russian threat
“And it must be done immediately. There is no time to waste. We have to support Ukraine now, so we need to strengthen our defense industry. And in the medium and long term. , Europe itself needs greater defense capabilities. We must effectively deter Russian aggression into Europe.”
Finland officially joined NATO on April 4, 2023, becoming the 31st member of the North Atlantic Alliance. With Russia’s entry into the alliance, the length of Russia’s border with NATO will double to 1,340 kilometers.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on December 17 threatened Finland with “problems” over its membership in NATO. Prior to that, he claimed, the two countries had “the most cordial relations”.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s representative to the international organization in Vienna, said in late December that Finland “will be the first to suffer” if there is “any escalation” between NATO and Russia.
Also read: Minister says Finland’s national plan for rebuilding Ukraine will be announced soon
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine