Finland’s security environment has deteriorated due to Russia’s aggressive actions. According to the Finnish Government’s Defence Report, Russia aims to create a buffer zone in Europe from the Arctic all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The security situation is described as serious and difficult to predict, and it can change quickly. According to the Finnish Defence Forces, Russia will continue to pose a long-term security threat to both Europe and Finland in the future. Russia is estimated to have the ability to quickly launch long-term military pressure.

Finland is located in an area of military strategic importance as part of both the Baltic Sea region and the Arctic region. In the Defence Report, the strategic interests of Finland’s defence are defined in accordance with the figure below.

The operating environment and strategic interests of Finland’s defence. Image source: Government Defence Report (2024).

According to the Government’s Report on Foreign and Security Policy, Finland and Sweden’s NATO memberships, along with cooperation arrangements between the Nordic countries and the United States will strengthen stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe. They reduce the risk of military use of force in Finland’s neighbouring areas.