Vladimir Putin used Russia’s Victory Day celebrations to attack Finland, claiming the nation joined NATO in hopes that Russia would collapse, allowing Helsinki to seize Russian territories.
Putin Accuses Finland of Hostile Intentions
Vladimir Putin addressed Finland’s decision to join NATO, which was finalized on April 4, 2023. He claimed that prior to the alliance’s expansion, there were no significant border conflicts or political disputes between Moscow and Helsinki.
“Why then did they join NATO? In the hope that everything here would collapse, and they would then step in and grab what they could,” Putin told reporters. He further alleged that Finland is conducting military activities at the border, specifically citing infrastructure construction in the Sestra River area.
Finland’s Departure from Long-term Neutrality
Helsinki’s decision to join NATO was a major geopolitical shift following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. For decades, Finland maintained military neutrality, but public support for NATO membership surged from approximately 20% to over 75% following the aggression.
The formal application was submitted in May 2022 alongside Sweden, with Finland’s ratification concluding in spring 2023. This increased the NATO-Russia border by over 1,300 kilometers, turning the Finnish-Russian border into a critical strategic point in the Baltic Sea region.
The Narrative of a “Besieged Russia”
During the conference, Putin argued that Western nations expected the rapid collapse of the Russian state and economy. He claimed the West believed sanctions would lead to economic chaos, the fall of the banking sector, and mass social protests.
The Kremlin continues to present sanctions and military support for Ukraine as part of a “war of the West against Russia.” This “besieged fortress” narrative aims to convince the Russian public that NATO and the EU seek the weakening or disintegration of the Russian Federation.
Military Reinforcements at the NATO Border
Following Finland’s accession, Russia began reorganizing military structures in the northwest strategic direction. The Ministry of Defense announced the restoration of the Leningrad Military District and an increased army presence near NATO borders.
Finnish services and media have reported increased Russian military activity and infrastructure modernization. In response, Helsinki has temporarily closed some border crossings, citing migration pressure and hybrid threats.
Security experts emphasize that Finland’s entry has fundamentally changed the balance of power in Northern Europe, granting NATO access to a modern army with hundreds of thousands of reservists and one of the region’s best territorial defense systems.
Responsibility for the War in Ukraine
Putin reiterated the Kremlin’s narrative regarding Ukraine, suggesting that Kyiv’s drive for EU and NATO integration led to the escalation of the conflict.
He enigmatically announced further actions to “guarantee Russia’s security” without specifying the concrete steps. These statements come amid ongoing tensions between Russia and NATO and intensified missile and drone attacks by Russia in Ukraine.
