In recent years, the global political landscape has undergone tremendous changes, especially in terms of relations between NATO and Russia. The United States has been working to strengthen its military alliances around the world, especially in Russia's immediate neighbors. Finland's role in this process is particularly important. The latest defense agreement between the United States and Finland is an integral part of this global strategy.
Previously, Ukraine was seen as a key ally of the United States in its fight against Russia. As the situation in Ukraine worsens, the United States seems to be looking for new strategic partners to strengthen its military presence in eastern Europe. Finland, a country that has historically remained neutral for a long time, now seems to be becoming another important ally of the United States.
Recently, Finland issued a statement announcing that it had authorized the Minister of Defense to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States. The agreement, which was officially signed on December 18, marks a deepening of military cooperation between Finland and the United States. According to the terms of the agreement, the US military will be allowed to deploy military supplies in Finland and use 15 military bases in Finland. Of particular interest is the fact that the agreement does not preclude the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in Finland.
Finland's Nuclear Energy Act originally prohibited the deployment of nuclear power on its territory**. However, the new defence agreement could prompt the Finnish parliament to revisit the legislation. This move not only strengthened Finland's military cooperation with the United States, but also actually opened the door to the deployment of NATO military forces on Finnish territory.
Finland's previous position was that even if it joined NATO, it would not allow any military presence on its territory. However, this defense cooperation with the United States shows a significant shift in Finland's policy. Russia must be upset by this, because it has been promised by the West that it will not expand eastward, but this promise has not been fulfilled.
In the past, Finland has remained neutral for a long time and has no plans to join NATO. But with Russia's military action against Ukraine, Finland's security is under threat and public opinion has changed. According to the survey, about 77% of Finns support joining NATO. Finland has to take into account the shift in public opinion and pay attention to the uncertainty of the country. Therefore, joining NATO and strengthening defense cooperation became an important goal for Finland.
The agreement between Finland and the United States could lead to the deployment of more nuclear weapons by Russia in the Kaliningrad Sea in the southern Baltic Sea, thereby increasing military tensions in the Baltic region. Finland shares a 1,350-kilometre border with Russia, and the deployment of U.S. troops would put Russia's homeland at risk. Such a situation could lead Russia to increase its military presence in the west.
Finland's decision also has a significant impact on its own security environment. Finland abandoned its long-standing principle of neutrality and was drawn into a full-scale confrontation between Russia and NATO. Finland has also announced the closure of all border crossings with Russia, an action that is purported to be a response to illegal immigration, but may actually be more about restricting contacts with Russia.
Under the guidance of the United States, NATO is constantly expanding its borders and deploying more military forces in the border areas. Finland's behavior seems to signal that it is becoming the "next Ukraine" that NATO is building. Although Finland was once ranked as the "happiest country", its antagonistic relationship with Russia could have a negative impact on national happiness.
The defense cooperation between Finland and the United States and its impact on the international political landscape is not an isolated incident. It embodies broader geopolitical trends, including the redefinition of the League, the changing League of Nations, and a new landscape of power play between the great powers.
First, Finland's decision-making reflects a broader trend of the country's willingness to adjust its long-term foreign policy and security strategy in the face of security threats. In such a situation, traditional policies of neutrality may be deemed inadequate to meet new security challenges, leading countries such as Finland to seek stronger international allies to ensure their security.
Secondly, Finland's cooperation with the United States simultaneously reveals that NATO's role in global security affairs is changing. More than just a defensive alliance, NATO is increasingly becoming a platform for advancing strategic cooperation among member states that may go beyond the traditional collective defense framework.
Finally, this cooperation highlights the strategic competition between the great powers, especially between the United States and Russia. Finland's choice, to some extent, can be seen as a response to the current international political landscape, which includes Russia's attitude towards Ukraine, as well as its views on NATO's eastward expansion.
In general, Finland's decisions and actions are not just a regional event, but part of a larger international political dynamic. It has a significant impact not only on Finland's own security environment, but also on the security landscape of Europe as a whole and the relationship between global powers. This incident reminds us that even countries that have historically been considered neutral may need to revisit and adjust their diplomatic and security strategies in today's rapidly changing and challenging international environment.