We move on from Oslo to Helsinki, where we’re greeted by grey skies and alternating rain, snow and it has to be admitted…..some sunshine.


Finland is a remarkable country as the photo below highlights (proudly shown to us during our visit to the Finnish Confederation of Industry) whose current outlook, economic and defence strategies (which dominated every meeting we had in Helsinki) are extensively shaped by its somewhat troubled history. A part of Sweden for 600 years and then part of Russia for the hundred years to 1917 when Finland finally became an independent nation. 


A more recent seminal event in Finland’s history was the Winter War of 1939-41 when the Soviet Union invaded and eerily mirroring what is now happening was fought to a standstill by Finns defending their homeland. As part of the eventual peace deal, Finland gave up a big chunk of territory to the Soviets (the Kola Peninsula) and as a consequence, lost direct access to the Arctic. But this war had a dramatic effect on Finnish psyche as a consequence of which universal male military conscription is still in operation (women can also now sign up) and in a recent poll more than 80% of Finns said that they would fight to defend their homeland. 


Finland has a 1200 km (800 miles) land border with Russia and until 24th of February, 2022 had a stable if wary relationship with its giant neighbour. There was a lot of cross-border traffic, a regular ferry service between Helsinki & St Petersburg and flourishing trade in both directions. That all came to a sudden and abrupt halt when Russia invaded Ukraine and Finland, as a member signed on to all sanctions imposed by the European Union. From only 20% of Finns being in favour of joining NATO prior to 24th of February 2022, that swung to 80% being in favour following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Speedy negotiations with and ratifications by existing NATO members followed, resulting in Finland becoming the 31st member of the Alliance on 4th of April 2023. Despite loud Russian threats of “retaliation”, Finland is heavily engaged in becoming a very active member of NATO (and is negotiating a mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US) even more so being the front line in the West’s defence against further Russian aggression. 


We couldn’t have arrived in Helsinki at a more historic moment…..just a month after Finland formally became the 31st member of NATO. Coincidentally, as we were driving from the Airport into Helsinki, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, in a heavily armored motorcade was on his way out of the city back to the airport following a previously unannounced meeting with the Nordic Prime Ministers. 


Zelenskyy is undoubtedly very aware of Finland’s eerily similar experience with Russian aggression and must realize that in almost every way, Ukraine can have no better example to follow than that of Finland


**Summary of Itinerary


US Embassy

  • Douglas Hickey - Ambassador (political appointee)
  • Christopher Krafft - Deputy Chief of Mission


Ministry of Defence


  • Antti Kaikkonen - Minister of Defense (for only another two weeks given the upcoming change of Government!)


Finnish Institute of International Affairs


  • Dr. Mika Aaltola - Director


Finnish Confederation of Industry


  • Timo Vuori - Director for International Trade & Trade Policy
  • Minister Jyri Häkämies - Director General, Finnish Confederation of Industry, Former  Minister of Economic Affairs, Former Minister of Defense


Ministry of Foreign Affairs


  • Ambassador Mikael Antell - Deputy Director General for Political Affairs & Chief Finnish Negotiator for the Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US