Finland Steps Up Border Closings in Dispute With Russia

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The escalation comes as Finland tries to address a rise in the arrivals of migrants and asylum seekers that officials blame on Moscow.

Finnish border guards escorting migrants at the international crossing with Russia near Salla, Finland, on Thursday. | Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva, via Associated Press
Finland is closing all but one of its land border crossings with Russia, escalating a standoff between the two countries over an influx of migrants that Finnish officials blame on Moscow.

Starting on Friday, only the Raja-Jooseppi crossing in northern Lapland will stay open to travelers, while all seven other land crossings will be closed. Last week, Finland closed four of the entry points.

“Russia has sought for years to cause discord, to shake unity in Europe and to weaken the Western alliance and international rules-based order,” the Finnish prime minister, Petteri Orpo, said in a televised address to Parliament on Thursday. “Our national response must be clear and strong.”

He had previously said the situation at the border was deteriorating amid signs that the Russian authorities were helping asylum seekers make their way to the country.

“Finland cannot be influenced,” he said. “Finland cannot be shaken.” » | Johanna Lemola and Emma Bubola | Johanna Lemola reported from Helsinki, Finland, and Emma Bubola from London. | Thursday, November 23, 2023

Finland’s President, No Stranger to Russia, Warns Europe About Complacency

THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Biden has consulted Sauli Niinisto throughout Russia’s war against Ukraine. Europeans should not dismiss the risks of a wider war, he says.

The president of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, is the person considered most responsible for bringing his country into the NATO alliance — and Sweden, too, which is awaiting ratification — following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. President Biden has consulted him about Russia and its president, Vladimir V. Putin, whom Mr. Niinisto has met numerous times.

In a long interview in his light-filled modernist residence in Helsinki, Mr. Niinisto warned European leaders and citizens not to become complacent over the risks of escalation in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine will last a long time, he said, and wars can take unexpected paths, even toward the use of nuclear weapons.

The invasion, Mr. Niinisto said, was “a wake-up call” for Europe and NATO. » | Steven Erlanger, Reporting from Helsinki, Finland | Sunday, September 17, 2023

Finnish Politician Could Face Jail Time after Sharing Bible Verse

Aug 10, 2023 | A Finnish politician on trial for sharing her biblical views on sexuality is heading back to court later this month as her four-year legal battle stretches on. Dr. Päivi Räsänen, the embattled member of Finland’s parliament, told CBN's Faithwire [that] a hearing in a prosecutor's appeal after she was cleared of hate speech charges last year is scheduled for Aug. 31. She said she's prepared to defend herself in any and all necessary courts of law.

"It was four years ago in June 2019 when I posted a Twitter post and also to Facebook, and it was about the Pride event that was going on, and the main church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, decided to support it officially," Räsänen said. "And it was a shock to me, and as a member of that church ... I asked the leadership of my church ... how is it possible that you are supporting something, as a matter of pride, what the Bible calls shame and sin."

Her simple social media post, which included Scripture from the Book of Romans, soon landed her in legal hot water, as a citizen made a criminal complaint. Then other past comments from Räsänen came under scrutiny. Another complaint was reportedly filed over a radio program she was on and another over an old pamphlet she wrote about same-sex relationships. Police interrogated Räsänen over her views and Finnish prosecutors decided to up the ante and file charges.

"I was first interrogated by the police altogether 13 hours," Räsänen said. "And I have to say that the situation was really absurd, because just some years ago I was a minister of interior in charge of police." Räsänen was accused of "inciting against sexual minorities," a charge which could carry two years in jail, or a fine. Listen to her story…


It seems clear to me that we, on this side of the Pond, need to have a written constitution so that we know exactly what can and cannot be said, or written.

I have raised this point before in a newspaper comment in the Telegraph. Here in the UK, there have been so many changes in the make-up of the country and in the nation's value systems, and in a very short time, that it has become very difficult to know exactly what may, or may not, be said or stated without falling foul of the law.

Americans, by contrast, do not have this problem, because they have a written constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech in the First Amendment of the US Constitution. We Brits, however, have no such clear determination or understanding of freedom of speech or expression. In the UK, it is a fudge. Yes, we have freedom of speech and freedom of expression, but with restrictions. (See here). Where there are restrictions, there is no total freedom. So the whole thing is left open to another’s interpretation of what is right and/or fair.

This might have been acceptable and workable in a bygone age, whilst the nation was made up of the indigenous peoples of the UK, who were largely Christian in belief and lifestyle. But today, this is clearly not the case. Today, we have a hotchpotch of beliefs and non-belief, and a hotchpotch of sexual orientations, too. All must somehow live together in total harmony. But for this total harmony to be facilitated, people need to know exactly where they stand and they need to know exactly what can and what cannot be said, or written. A written constitution is the answer. – © Mark Alexander

Finnish Far-right Finance Minister Accused of Racist Online Comments

THE GUARDIAN: Riikka Purra says she will not resign after being linked to racial slurs and threats of violence made in 2008

Finland’s new rightwing government has been plunged into fresh controversy after the discovery of racist and sometimes violent blogpost comments apparently written by the far-right Finns party leader and finance minister, Riikka Purra.

Purra, whose nationalist, anti-immigration party finished second in April’s elections and holds nine cabinet posts, has neither confirmed nor denied writing the posts, which date mostly to 2008, and said she had no intention of resigning – although on Tuesday she issued a broad apology for “stupid social media comments”.

The comments, made under the username “riikka” on the blog of Purra’s predecessor as Finns party leader, Jussi Halla-aho, included uses of the Finnish equivalent of the N-word, other racial and anti-immigrant slurs, and threats of violence. » | Jon Henley, Europe editor | Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Finland's Economy Minister Resigns after 10 Days over Nazi References

Vilhelm Junnila apologised for his remarks but has now stepped down from his ministerial position | REUTERS
BBC: Finland's new economy minister has resigned after just 10 days in office over remarks he made at a far-right event four years ago.

Vilhelm Junnila, of the nationalist Finns Party, has been accused of making repeated Nazi references.

He apologised and survived a no-confidence vote, but announced his resignation on Friday.

Mr Junnila said he was stepping down so as not to harm the reputation of both the government and Finland.

"I see that it is impossible for me to continue as a minister in a satisfactory way," Mr Junnila added in a statement.

His resignation comes after it emerged he addressed a Nationalist Alliance event in the south-western city of Turku in 2019. » | James Gregory, BBC News | Friday, June 30, 2023

Under-fire Finnish PM Sanna Marin Says Even Politicians Need Fun

THE GUARDIAN: Leader says week in she was forced to defend her private life has been ‘difficult’

Finland’s prime minister, Sanna Marin, at a meeting of her Social Democratic party on 24 August 2022. Photograph: LEHTIKUVA/Reuters
Sanna Marin has insisted she works hard as Finland’s prime minister but should also be entitled to a private life, after a photograph taken at her residence of two topless women kissing sparked renewed criticism of her partying.

“I am human,” Marin told reporters on Wednesday at the conference of her Social Democratic party, describing the past week as “quite difficult”. On the verge of tears, she said she too sometimes longs “for joy, light and fun amidst the dark clouds”.

The 36-year-old, the world’s youngest head of government when she was elected in 2019, added: “I haven’t missed a single day of work. I want to believe people will look at what we do at work rather than what we do in our spare time.”

She said she had not left “a single task undone – and I won’t leave this one in the middle either. I’m learning. But I am doing my job as well as I have been up to now. I’m thinking about Ukraine, I’m thinking about you, and I’m doing my job.”

On Tuesday, Marin apologised for the photograph, which first appeared on the TikTok account of the model and influencer Sabina Särkkä. It shows her and another woman – not Marin – kissing and lifting up their tops, with a “Finland” sign over their breasts. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Finns Are Ready to Fight Any Russian Attack, Says Armed Forces Chief

THE GUARDIAN: Gen Timo Kivinen says Nato applicant is prepared and motivated to defend against neighbour and would be ‘tough bite’ to chew

Timo Kivinen, Finland's chief of defence forces, says: ‘The most important line of defence is between one’s ears, as the war in Ukraine proves.’ Photograph: Anne Kauranen/Reuters
Finland has prepared for decades for a Russian attack and would put up stiff resistance should one occur, its armed forces chief has said.

The Nordic country has built up a substantial arsenal. But aside from the military hardware, Gen Timo Kivinen said, a crucial factor is that Finns would be motivated to fight.

“The most important line of defence is between one’s ears, as the war in Ukraine proves at the moment,” Kivinen said in an interview.

Finland fought two wars in the 1940s against its eastern neighbour, with which it shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border.

Once a non-aligned country, it is now applying to join the Nato military alliance over concerns that Russia could invade like it did Ukraine on 24 February. Since the second world war, Helsinki has kept up a high level of military preparedness. » | Reuters in Helsinki | Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Finland to Formally Join Nato Despite Russian Warning - BBC News

May 15, 2022 • Finland has confirmed that it will apply for Nato membership, abandoning the neutral status the country has held since the end of World War Two.

The move comes despite warnings from Russian president Vladimir Putin, who told his Finnish counterpart that joining Nato would be a "mistake".

President Sauli Niinisto called it a "historic day". He says the shift in policy is in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Nato foreign ministers say they want a rapid accession process for Finland.

Sweden could also announce its intention to join as soon as Monday.

Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. Until now, it has stayed out of Nato to avoid antagonising its eastern neighbour.

Russia Warns That It Would Be a 'Mistake' for Finland and Sweden to Join Nato - BBC News

May 14, 2022 • Russia has said Finland and Sweden's entry into Nato would lead to a militarisation of the Baltic region.

Finland and Sweden are both expected to make a formal request to join the Western alliance, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinistö that joining Nato and abandoning Finland's neutral status would be a "mistake."

Putin also said there was no threat to Finland's security, with which Russia shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border.

The Russian foreign ministry has indicated there will be retaliation, and the country's decision to suspend electricity supplies to Finland is being seen as an early sign of this.

Russia Threatens Retaliation - as Finland’s Leaders Say It ‘Must Join Nato’

May 12, 2022 • When Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine at the end of February, he said he was responding to Nato expansion and trying to deter other countries from joining that alliance.

Finland Must Apply to Join Nato without Delay, Say President and PM

THE GUARDIAN: Sauli Niinistö and Sanna Marin make call after support in country for move trebles since Ukraine war

Sauli Niinistö (right) and Sanna Marin. ‘We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly,’ they said. Photograph: Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva/AFP/Getty Images
Finland must apply to join Nato without delay in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, its president and prime minister have said, confirming a historic change in the Nordic country’s security policy after decades of military non-alignment.

Sauli Niinistö and Sanna Marin made the call in a joint statement, adding: “We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”

Nato membership would strengthen Finland’s security, the two leaders said, and as a member of Nato: “Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland must apply for Nato membership as a matter of urgency.”

Finland shares an 810-mile (1,300km) border with Russia and has long viewed joining the US-led alliance as an unnecessary provocation of Moscow, but Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February has led to a profound shift in its thinking. » | Jon Henley | Thursday, May 12, 2022

NATO will Finnland und Schweden schnell aufnehmen: Die Entscheidung, ob Finnland und Schweden in die NATO aufgenommen werden, soll noch vor dem Gipfel im Juni in Madrid fallen. Das Bündnis will so ein Zeichen der Entschlossenheit an Russland senden – und bereitet sich schon auf Provokationen vor. »

Related video.

Finnish President Tells Russia 'You Caused This' as He Signs Security Pact with UK

May 11, 2022 • The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö has told a news conference in Helsinki that Russia's invasion of Ukraine "changed the picture" on the country's security.

What Would It Mean If Finland and Sweden Join Nato? - BBC News

Apr 28, 2022 • Finland and Sweden are said to be considering a joint bid to join Nato despite fears of retaliation from Russia.

Stockholm and Helsinki have long pursued policies of military neutrality to avoid conflict with regional powers.

But Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said "everything had changed" when Russia attacked Ukraine and told reporters that Helsinki must to be "prepared for all kinds of actions from Russia".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stressed that Moscow would have to "rebalance the situation" with its own measures if the Nato bid went ahead.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto has said it would be "useful" for Sweden and Finland to launch joint Nato membership bids, but added that no fixed date had been set for any potential application.

The BBC's Ros Atkins explains the latest developments.

Finland and Sweden May Join NATO - What about Ukraine? | Ayman

Apr 16, 2022 • If part of Putin’s strategy in invading Ukraine was to scare European countries out of wanting to join NATO, that plan has backfired. But if Finland and Sweden may now get a green light on membership, Ayman and former US ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder discuss: Why didn't Ukraine?

Russia Warns of Nuclear Weapons in Baltic if Sweden and Finland Join Nato

THE GUARDIAN: ‘No more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic,’ senior member of security council says

‘The balance must be restored’ in the Baltic, says Dmitry Medvedev (right), pictured with Vladimir Putin in 2020. Photograph: Yuri Kochetkov/EPA
Moscow has said it will be forced to strengthen its defences in the Baltic if Finland and Sweden join Nato, including by deploying nuclear weapons, as the war against Ukraine entered its seventh week and the country braced for a major attack in the east.

The Russian former president Dmitry Medvedev, a senior member of Russia’s security council, said on Thursday that all its forces in the region would be bolstered if the two Nordic countries joined the US-led alliance.

Finland and Sweden are deliberating over whether to abandon decades of military non-alignment and join Nato, with the two Nordic countries’ leaders saying Russia’s onslaught on Ukraine had changed Europe’s “whole security landscape”.

Their accession to the alliance would more than double Russia’s land border with Nato members, Medvedev said. “Naturally, we will have to reinforce these borders” by bolstering ground, air and naval defences in the region, he said. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Thursday, April 14, 2022

Finnish President: Putin Is Clearly Making a Nuclear Threat | Amanpour and Company

Mar 14, 2022 • Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö has known Putin for a decade and often acts as a de facto interpreter, explaining the Russian president's thinking to Western allies – and vice versa. Niinistö is among a handful of world leaders who continue to contact the Russian president, trying to put a stop to the war. Christiane speaks with Niinistö in London to get a sense of Putin’s endgame. Originally aired on March 14, 2022

He Knows Putin Well. And He Fears for Ukraine.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Finnish president, Sauli Niinisto, has carved out a vital role as interpreter between East and West, and he is not optimistic about the prospects for peace.

President Sauli Niinisto of Finland with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in 2016. Mr. Putin “respects the one who is fighting back,” Mr. Niinisto has said. | Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
HELSINKI — As the threat of a new Russian invasion of Ukraine grew, the European head of state with the longest and deepest experience dealing with Vladimir V. Putin fielded calls and doled out advice to President Emmanuel Macron of France and other world leaders desperate for insight into his difficult neighbor to the east.

“‘What do you think about this about this, what about this, or this?’ That’s where I try to be helpful,” said Sauli Niinisto, the president of Finland, as the harsh light gleaming off the snow and frozen bay poured into the presidential residence. “They know that I know Putin,” he added. “And because it goes the other way around Putin sometimes says, ‘Well, why don’t you tell your Western friends that and that and that?’”

Mr. Niinisto, 73, said his role was not merely that of a Nordic runner, shuttling messages between East and West, but of borderland interpreter, explaining to both sides the thinking of the other. The departure from politics of Angela Merkel, who for years as Germany’s chancellor led Europe’s negotiations with Mr. Putin, has made Mr. Niinisto’s role, while smaller, vital, especially as the drumbeat of war grows louder.

But Mr. Niinisto is not optimistic. Before and after his last long conversation with Mr. Putin last month, he said, he had noticed a change in the Russian. “His state of mind, the deciding, decisiveness — that is clearly different,” Mr. Niinisto said. He believed Mr. Putin felt he had to seize on “the momentum he has now.” » | Jason Horowitz | Sunday, February 13, 2022

Why Finland Has the Best Education System in the World

A segment on the approach to education in Finland taken from "Where To Invade Next" by Michael Moore.

Finland's First Female President on Women's Rights, Healthcare & Rise of Far Right in Europe

As we broadcast from UNESCO in Paris, we speak with Tarja Halonen, who was elected in 2000 as Finland’s first female president and served until 2012. Her election came about 100 years after Finland became the first European country where women were given the right to vote. In 2009, Forbes named Halonen among the 100 Most Powerful Women in the world. Since leaving office, she has become a prominent advocate for gender equality as well as transparency. She spoke today to mark the International Day for the Universal Access to Information, and we asked her about the country’s cost-effective healthcare system, which she says has given Finland "a lower infant mortality rate, better maternity care than the United States."

Police: Man Shot After Stabbing Several People In Finland | MSNBC

Police in Finland say that they have shot a man after he stabbed several people in the city of Turku. NBC's Ali Arouzi reports.