Finland. General Janne Jaakkola on Russia: It is unlikely

Thursday marks 75 years since its establishment North Atlantic Alliance and one year from joining Finland to this organization.

Referring to the country's security issues, the new commander of the Finnish armed forces, General Janne Jaakkola said on Thursday that Russia does not pose a particular military threat to Finland.

– There is no particular military threat to Finland from Russia. Is Russia is unlikely to test Art. 5 Washington Treaty NATO, which obliges Alliance members to collective defense – said General Janne Jaakkola in an interview with the media. – We still have to be prepared for that the unstable security situation will continue for a long time. We must react quickly, he added.

According to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, an attack on any member is considered an attack on all states.

According to the new commander of the Finnish armed forces, Russia's goal is to “achieve the best possible military position in… Ukraine in order to obtain the best possible negotiation opportunities at the political level”, i.e. in the context of the presidential elections in USA.

In connection with the anniversary of Finland's accession to NATO, the president Alexander Stubb declared that the country was “creating its own profile in the Alliance.” “We are not a small player, but a medium-sized Member State” – he emphasized, drawing attention to Finland's location at the tip of Europe. Stubb also drew attention to Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which obliges countries to develop their own national defense capabilities.

Entry of Finland i Sweden of NATO could bring huge supplies of American weapons to northern Europe. “The goal is not only deterrence, but also to test how extremely low temperatures above the Arctic Circle affect military materials and the operational capabilities of troops,” wrote “Helsingin Sanomat” on Thursday.

The daily refers to the plans revealed by Gen. Christopher Mohanadeputy commander of the US Army Procurement Department, during the annual Global Forces Symposium, organized in late March in Alabama.

It was speculated then that this could be a possible location for new warehouses Norway. Finland and Sweden are also interested in American wrestling, and everything will take place through “diplomatic channels,” the Finnish newspaper notes. It is not known whether Finland is interested in placing an American depot on its territory.

At the beginning of April, the current commander of the Finnish Armed Forces, General Timo As a stone he replaced Janne Jaakkola, previously responsible for strategy in the General Staff. The 56-year-old soldier was appointed commander of the armed forces by the previous president of Finland at the beginning of this year Sauli Niinistö.

As the Finnish press emphasizes, Jaakkola served, among others, in airborne units and special forces. He also commanded the Finnish military mission in Kosovo i Afghanistancompleted numerous courses and training in Denmark, Sweden i Norway. He also boasts a Krav Maga black belt.

Source: YLE, “Helsingin Sanomat”

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