Finland’s geopolitical position and recent signals from the White House are reshaping the previous stable reality in which Finland was an economically prosperous “Santa Claus’ homeland” into a defense buildup and a search for additional allies if the current ones turn out to be the same as in 1939.
Today, Finland’s geopolitical position determines its foreign economic and defense strategy. Its political goals are based on ensuring security, stability and development, which is especially important in the face of new challenges on the European continent.
Finland is a part of the European Union and a member of the euro zone, which allows it to maintain active economic and political ties with other EU countries. After many decades of military neutrality, Finland changed its foreign policy strategy by signing an agreement to join NATO in 2023. Ukrainians were surprised to see that in just a few months, without any lengthy procedures and without meeting ephemeral “NATO standards,” the country was accepted into the Alliance despite the fact that it shares a border with Russia and could “threaten” St. Petersburg, as it did in 1939. It has become clear that NATO membership is not based on any real criteria, but on the real desires of Washington and Brussels.
This strategic decision by Finland was a lucky ticket and a response to growing security threats, especially after Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, which has significantly changed the geopolitical situation in Europe. If the process of Finland’s accession to NATO had been delayed for at least two years, as it should have been according to the accession procedures, we would have seen new threats and the concentration of Russian troops on the Karelian Isthmus, and we would have heard very disappointing demands from the other side of the Atlantic.
Today, as a member of NATO, Finland is trying to strengthen collective security and promote stability in Eastern Europe, given the threats posed by Russia.
The country actively supports economic integration within the EU and seeks to develop mutually beneficial relations with the Scandinavian and Baltic countries, as well as with other European countries. In the light of the energy crisis in Europe, Finland is focusing on the development of renewable energy sources and increasing energy independence, in particular through the construction of new infrastructure facilities and support for international energy initiatives. Finland pays great attention to sustainable development, including environmental policy, support for green technologies and the fight against climate change.
Many theorists of the geopolitical concept of the Intermarium (also known as the Intermarium) envisage the creation of a union of Central and Eastern European countries, in particular those with common historical and cultural ties. This union includes the Baltic states, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Romania. In a broader version, it is possible to expand the membership to include the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, and Finland and Sweden. This alliance aims to strengthen economic, defense, and political ties among its members and create a regional power that could balance the influence of Russia and other global players.
While Russia remains the main threat to Finland after the possible self-isolation of its Atlantic partners, European countries do not yet appear to be the decisive force that would immediately come to the rescue if the Russians were to launch threats and a new invasion.
There are several factors that should make Finland interested
- Geographical proximity and strategic interests. Finland already has strong political and economic ties with the Baltic states, Poland and other Eastern European countries. Its strategic interest in strengthening security and stability in the region could facilitate closer cooperation with the countries of the Intermarium.
- Membership in NATO and the EU. Finland is a member of both of these organizations, which may complicate its integration into the Intermarium, as the alliance is focused on creating a more independent regional bloc, particularly in the defense sector. However, given the growing geopolitical threats from Russia, Finland may be interested in strengthening cooperation with the Intermarium countries to enhance its security.
- Economic opportunities. Finland, thanks to its technological base, infrastructure development and high level of education, could be a valuable economic partner for the other countries of the Intermarium. Cooperation in areas such as innovation, energy, and transportation could form the basis for Finland’s further integration into the regional union.
If the small Eastern European countries that have been victims of Russia for centuries finally united to repel Russian aggression, comprising Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic states, as well as Turkey and Finland, Finland would be the scorpion’s sting at the geopolitical tip of the Intermarium, threatening St. Petersburg, while the other countries of the union would keep Russian expansionism under the threat of devastating retaliation. The creation of the Intermarium is a guarantee of stable peace and development for the whole of Eastern Europe, where Russia will be afraid to poke its nose.
Author: Valeriy Maydanyuk
