Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has transformed the geopolitical landscape of the transatlantic region, perhaps the greatest example being Finland and Sweden’s newfound enthusiasm for joining NATO. After a couple of centuries of military neutrality, or at least military nonalignment, both countries have submitted their applications to join the Western military alliance.
Finland has been building bunkers since the 1960s as a defence system against Russia. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European countries have been bolstering their defence systems in anticipation of further aggression from Russian president Vladimir Putin. It seems as though Finland had the foresight, even during friendlier times, to prepare for any attack from its eastern neighbour.
It is very likely that Finland, which shares a border of 830 miles with Russia, will join NATO despite threats by the Russian government to deploy nuclear weapons, Finnish European Affairs Minister Titi Toborainin
309
0