Putin Warns of Problems With Finland in Future, Blames West for ‘Dragging’ Them Into NATO

Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits the exhibition of achievements "Russia" prior to the United Russia party congress in Moscow on Dec. 17, 2023. Sergey FADEICHEV/POOL/AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of potential problems with Finland going forward after the northern European country strengthened ties with the United States and effectively closed its border with Russia.

Finland’s government accused Russia of pushing asylum seekers across the border and closed all but one crossing last month. A defense agreement between the U.S. military and Finland is also expected to be signed at the start of this week, further increasing tensions in the region.

During a Dec. 17 interview on the government owned Rossiya state TV, the long-time president of Russia laid the blame for any issues with Finland squarely on the West, which he says “dragged Finland into NATO” following the invasion of Ukraine. In April, Finland became the 31st nation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“Did we have any disputes with them? All disputes, including territorial ones in the mid-20th century, have long been solved,” Mr. Putin said.

“We had the friendliest, most cordial relations. There were no problems there; now there will be because we will create the Leningrad military district and concentrate a certain amount of military units there.”

Border fence with Russia in Pelkola, Finland, on April 14, 2023. Janis Laizans/Reuters

However, Mr. Putin did acknowledge that while everything was developing economically, there were some problems between the two countries “linked to the necessity to develop timber processing within the country.” But in his opinion, “that was all—just a small detail in reality.”

According to the Russian government, it plans to reorganize military divisions and deploy more troops in the northwest in response to what it sees as “NATO’s desire to build up military potential near the Russian borders.”

Mr. Putin has long demanded that NATO limit its expansion into Russia’s bordering regions over fears it would leave Russia isolated and surrounded by hostile nations.

Biden Warns of More Russian Aggression

Established in the aftermath of World War II, NATO members are required to defend each other against third-party attacks by non-member nations. U.S. President Joe Biden said during a recent press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that, in his opinion, Russia would likely seek to attack NATO next if it wins the war in Ukraine.

“Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine. We must, we must, we must prove him wrong,” President Biden said.

“Today, Ukraine’s freedom is on the line. But if we don’t stop Putin, it will endanger the freedom of everyone almost everywhere. Putin will keep going, and would-be aggressors everywhere will be emboldened to try to take what they can by force,” he added.

President Joe Biden announces new actions to protect consumers from hidden junk fees in the Rose Garden of the White House on Oct. 11, 2023. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Republicans from both chambers of Congress have been staunch in holding back their votes to pass spending bills for any cause, including the Ukraine war, unless they include additional domestic measures, such as stricter border regulations and cuts to government spending as the U.S. national debt passes $33 trillion.

Mr. Putin has dismissed President Biden’s remarks as “complete nonsense.” According to Mr. Putin, despite its invasion of Ukraine and threats against countries supplying military aid to Ukraine, Russia is seeking a more amicable relationship with NATO members and their allies. He claims Moscow does not have any territorial claims in NATO countries.

“Russia has no reason, no interest, no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military to fight with Nato countries,” Mr. Putin said.

“There is no desire to spoil relations with them; we are interested in developing relations,” he added.

Mr. Putin also took the chance to frame any tensions with NATO as a result of other country’s actions, rather than anything Russia has done. He claims other world leaders are attempting to stop Russia from becoming a strong world power by any means necessary.

“With whom did we have problems? Nobody. They’re the ones who are artificially creating problems with us,” he said. “Because they don’t want such a competitor in the form of Russia. That’s all there is to it.”