Finnish Parliament Speaker: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Forced Us to Change Our Thinking Too

Finnish Parliament Speaker Jusi Halla-aho said in an interview with Latvian Television that Finland's decision in the 1990s not to join NATO, the Western military alliance, forced the country to take responsibility for its own security. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Finland still had to adapt to a new situation, which required a change in thinking as well as in legislation. The topic is relevant to the Baltic states, which face similar threats.

Preparedness and painful experience

Halla-aho said Finland kept investing in security, including military security, after the end of the Cold War, so it does not have to build preparedness from scratch. In his view, this was helped by its difficult history with its eastern neighbour. He argued that if Finland had joined NATO in the 1990s, its current situation might not be as good. He also noted that after the war began, delegations from other countries have visited Finland to see its public bomb shelters, which are a standard part of any building constructed there.

Migrants as a weapon and break-ins

The speaker said Russian authorities, including the FSB and border guards, have been directing third-country nationals toward Finland's eastern border to abuse the asylum system. Parliament approved emergency legislation by a very large majority that allows border authorities, under certain conditions, to stop accepting asylum applications when migrants are being used as a weapon. He admitted that this change was psychologically and politically harder in Finland than in the Baltic states.

Halla-aho also confirmed there have been cases in which MPs' apartments were probably entered without permission. Police are investigating, no one has been officially accused, and no suspects have been named.

Support for Ukraine

The speaker stressed that there is broad consensus in Finland on supporting Ukraine, and that relative to its population and economy, the country is one of the largest providers of material aid. He called on larger European countries to contribute more. Asked about the president's phone call with Putin, he said the president leads foreign policy and that actions are coordinated with Ukraine.