Finland alleged to be readying for military conflict by a previous Kremlin leader

In a recent column for the state news agency TASS, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has accused Finland of pursuing a confrontational course against Russia and preparing for a potential war.

Medvedev, who is also the deputy head of the national security council, claims that Finland's actions are under the pretext of defensive measures, but are actually in preparation for a conflict with Russia. He points to the creation of army headquarters in Lapland near the Russian border as evidence of this alleged aggressive stance.

The former president's accusations come amidst Finland's recent decision to join NATO, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on April 4, 2023, along with Sweden. Moscow perceives Finland's security aspirations as ungrateful, given the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Medvedev's column, titled "Finland's New Doctrine: Stupidity, Lies, Ingratitude," also raises reparations claims from World War II. He suggests that Finland, like Germany, bears responsibility for the conflict and claims that the actual damages caused by Finland amounted to 20 trillion rubles (approximately €220 billion).

This renewal of reparations claims against Finland is significant, as it indicates a shift in Moscow's stance towards Finland's role in World War II. The Winter War of 1939, following the Hitler-Stalin Pact, is rarely discussed in Russian historiography, but Medvedev's column seems to suggest a reevaluation of Finland's actions during that time.

Moreover, Medvedev's claims that Finland's new policy is trampling on old agreements is a potential cause for concern. The 1947 peace treaty, which limited Soviet reparations to $300 million, is no longer seen as binding by Moscow, according to Medvedev.

It is important to note that Finland participated in the war against the Soviet Union in 1940, on the side of Hitler's Germany. This historical fact is likely to fuel Medvedev's claims and the broader narrative in Russia that Finland is an untrustworthy neighbour.

However, Finland's decision to join NATO was a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the country has maintained that its actions are defensive in nature. The Finnish government has not yet responded to Medvedev's accusations directly.

As tensions between Russia and its neighbours continue to rise, Medvedev's column serves as a reminder of the complex and fraught history between Russia and Finland, and the potential for further escalation in the region.

Finland alleged to be readying for military conflict by a previous Kremlin leader