Real estate purchases may be used “to gain a foothold in the country or to undermine public authorities’ ability to act,” warned Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP).
President Alexander Stubb heads to the Munich Security Conference while PM Petteri Orpo (NCP) meets with EU colleagues at a Belgian castle before a visit to the Winter Olympics.
Russia has begun to clear out a Soviet-era garrison in Petrozavodsk. There are plans to build new barracks in the area, allowing a significant expansion of Russian troops near the Finnish border.
Commenting on the new US defence strategy, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) said that Washington is still committed to Nato, but that Europe must do more to protect itself.
President Alexander Stubb said that Finland has “the biggest military force of Arctic capabilities” in Nato. Regarding Greenland, he expressed confidence that “we’ll find an off-ramp”.