Members of the Finnish Army at military exercises in Kelsinski. Photo by AFP
Surprised since the war began in Ukraine, Martti Kailio, 73, keep your rifle close at hand at his home in Hiivaniemi in eastern Finland, with views of Russia across the lake.
“I’m very mad that I was one of the first volunteers to come with my loaded gun, although I was no longer young to be a soldier, “the retiree explained to AFP.
For many Finns living near Russia’s border, their country’s imminent NATO candidacy, which will be official on Sunday, is welcomed with relief.
“We should have come earlier. There’s no point in waiting so long,” says Kailio.
Finland, which has a 1,300 -kilometer border with Russia, has remained on the sideline of military alliances since it became independent in 1917. Photo AFP
popular support
Finland, with 1,300 kilometers of shared border with Russia, it has remained outside military alliances since it became independent in 1917.
But after the invasion of Ukraine at the end of February, public opinion and political leaders most are leaning in favor of falling under the umbrella of the transatlantic alliance.
On Thursday, the president and the prime minister requested to enter the body “without delay”.
To some, the war in Ukraine evoked painful memories of the Winter War (1939), where the Red Army invaded the Nordic country Just 22 years after achieving independence from Moscow.
Members of the Finnish Army in Helsinki. Photo by AFP
Like Ukraine today, the small Finnish army put up intense resistance, causing severe losses to the Soviets, albeit at the end of the fighting. ended up giving up a large part of its territory.
The farm of Veli-Matti Rantala, a 72-year-old former Navy pilot, is a few steps from the Russian border at Suokumaa. With an old rusty helmet in his hands, the veteran recalls the battles that took place in the surrounding woods.
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“I’m not too worried about the situation anymore. Now that we’ve joined the Western community, help is coming,” he said. For him, get into NATO it’s a necessity. “
A few hundred meters from Russia to Vainikkala, Jaana Rikkinen grew up listening to the Soviets and then Russian border guards across the lake from her sauna.
The 59 -year -old teacher that the uncles died fighting the Soviets“felt relieved” to join NATO soon, although in the past he was skeptical about joining this US-led alliance.
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Source: Clarin
