Finland’s army chief, Janne Jaakkola: Russia will not attack NATO countries

– Of course, it is always possible to test NATO’s Article Five, but if we make the right choices and maintain the alliance’s unity, I consider an attack unlikely, says General Janne Jaakkola to Reuters.

Threatening Finland

Finland became a member of the defense alliance on 4 April 2023. The country has a 1,340 kilometer long common border with Russia, and thus constitutes NATO’s longest external border with the country.

Finland closed all its border crossings to Russia this winter after asylum seekers flowed unchecked across the border.

Russian authorities have repeatedly threatened Finland with retaliation after the country’s entry into NATO. The threats have mainly involved the deployment of long-range missiles and the establishment of military forces closer to Finnish territory.

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– They want to create as much division in Europe as possible

Now Finland’s army commander says that he does not fear a Russian attack against NATO countries. However, he believes that there will be other forms of attack than direct military confrontation.

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– The point for the Russians is that they want to create as much division in Europe as possible, so that our unity and cohesion become a little weaker, warns Jaakkola.

Will destabilize Western democracy

The general refers to hybrid attacks, GPS jamming, illegal immigration and electoral influence as the most important tools Vladimir Putin will be able to use.

Finland’s army commander therefore urges Europe to be prepared that Russia will intensify this type of attack in order to destabilize Western democracy and tear down trust in the elected representatives.