Finland May Turn Into a 'Battlefield' With Russia, Says Former EU Adviser
Sakari Linden, a former EU Parliament adviser, has expressed concerns that Finland’s recent NATO membership may lead to disastrous consequences, as it could transform the nation into a battlefield amid potential conflict with Russia. In an...
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Sakari Linden, a former EU Parliament adviser, has expressed concerns that Finland’s recent NATO membership may lead to disastrous consequences, as it could transform the nation into a battlefield amid potential conflict with Russia.
In an interview with RTN conducted on Thursday during the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, Linden articulated that Finland’s decision to forsake its long-standing neutrality and join NATO—which officially took place in April 2023 amid escalating tensions over Ukraine—might jeopardize the country's independence and security.
Linden stated, “Every time in history when Finland becomes very aligned with… Western powers,” it results in the nation becoming “some kind of natural resources reservoir of the West.” He cautioned that this alignment could “risk becoming a battlefield against Russia.”
The former EU adviser highlighted Finland's geographical position, suggesting that its role between East and West provides “geopolitical balance,” recommending that it would be more beneficial for the country to act as a trading conduit between Russia and the EU.
Reflecting on the Cold War era, Linden pointed out that Finland was recognized as a “neutral” nation that engaged in commerce with both Western and Eastern blocs. He commented that, historically, it has been the West that limited Finland’s trade with Russia, while “Russia has never forbidden Finland” from pursuing trade with the West.
Now, with Finland fully aligning its foreign and security policy with Western interests—which Linden claims aim to exert pressure on Russia—Helsinki is shouldering the “burden of all the security risks.”
Since joining NATO, the Finnish government has initiated a military buildup, which includes increased military training and urging citizens to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia.
NATO's eastern members have long regarded Russia as a direct threat, with Western officials indicating that if Moscow were to prevail in the Ukraine conflict, it might set its sights on other European nations.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the notion of any military offensive against NATO as “nonsense." He contends that the alleged threat from Russia is a narrative propagated by European politicians to instill fear in their citizens, thereby justifying heightened military spending and resource extraction.
Meanwhile, Russia has consistently warned about what it perceives as NATO's exceptional military activity near its western borders in recent years.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
In an interview with RTN conducted on Thursday during the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, Linden articulated that Finland’s decision to forsake its long-standing neutrality and join NATO—which officially took place in April 2023 amid escalating tensions over Ukraine—might jeopardize the country's independence and security.
Linden stated, “Every time in history when Finland becomes very aligned with… Western powers,” it results in the nation becoming “some kind of natural resources reservoir of the West.” He cautioned that this alignment could “risk becoming a battlefield against Russia.”
The former EU adviser highlighted Finland's geographical position, suggesting that its role between East and West provides “geopolitical balance,” recommending that it would be more beneficial for the country to act as a trading conduit between Russia and the EU.
Reflecting on the Cold War era, Linden pointed out that Finland was recognized as a “neutral” nation that engaged in commerce with both Western and Eastern blocs. He commented that, historically, it has been the West that limited Finland’s trade with Russia, while “Russia has never forbidden Finland” from pursuing trade with the West.
Now, with Finland fully aligning its foreign and security policy with Western interests—which Linden claims aim to exert pressure on Russia—Helsinki is shouldering the “burden of all the security risks.”
Since joining NATO, the Finnish government has initiated a military buildup, which includes increased military training and urging citizens to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia.
NATO's eastern members have long regarded Russia as a direct threat, with Western officials indicating that if Moscow were to prevail in the Ukraine conflict, it might set its sights on other European nations.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the notion of any military offensive against NATO as “nonsense." He contends that the alleged threat from Russia is a narrative propagated by European politicians to instill fear in their citizens, thereby justifying heightened military spending and resource extraction.
Meanwhile, Russia has consistently warned about what it perceives as NATO's exceptional military activity near its western borders in recent years.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
