On September 8, 2025, Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev published a column in the state news agency TASS under the title “New Finnish Doctrine: Stupidity, Lies, Ingratitude”. In it, he alleged that after joining NATO, Finland had embarked on a confrontational path “under the guise of defensive measures,” turning its territory into a potential springboard for a war against Russia. According to Medvedev, the Alliance is now “fully engaged” in Finland, expanding activities across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.
Claims of NATO militarization and historic disputes
Medvedev argued that NATO is establishing a forward land forces headquarters in Lapland that could grow to brigade level, up to 5,000 troops, if the situation changes. He claimed that Finland has been turned into an “anti-Russia” even faster than Ukraine and accused Helsinki of violating its legal foundations by disregarding the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty and the 1992 bilateral Treaty on the Fundamentals of Relations. He warned that Russia could revisit unresolved “historical questions” and reparations tied to Finland’s role in World War II, citing a Karelian Supreme Court estimate of losses amounting to 20 trillion rubles—about $244 billion.
Echoes of Kremlin’s pre-invasion rhetoric
The statements reflect a familiar Kremlin tactic: attributing aggressive intentions to neighbors in order to justify its own militarization and leave space for escalation. Similar narratives were deployed against Ukraine ahead of the 2022 invasion, portraying NATO’s defensive posture as a provocation and framing Russia as a besieged fortress. Medvedev’s language about Finland creating a “springboard for war” mirrors that strategy and seeks to rally domestic audiences around the government.
Russia’s growing military presence near Finland
In recent months, Russia has reinforced its military posture along the Finnish border. New bases are being expanded in Petrozavodsk, around 160 km from Finland, to support a new army command. Moscow has laid new rail lines near the Finnish and Norwegian borders and restructured its military districts, creating the Leningrad Military District bordering Estonia, Latvia and Finland. These moves underline the Kremlin’s gradual buildup despite its accusations against NATO.
Pressure on Finland and NATO unity
Medvedev’s invocation of international treaties and threats of reparations serves not only as legalistic framing but also as political pressure on Finland. His rhetoric is aimed at intimidating Helsinki and signaling confrontation with NATO, while seeking to weaken Western solidarity with Ukraine. At the same time, Finland—one of the most militarily capable nations in Northern Europe—has strengthened its deterrence. Its conscription system allows for rapid mobilization of over 280,000 reservists in the first week and up to 1 million troops overall. With NATO membership, modern equipment and high readiness levels, Finland now plays a significant role in deterring Russian aggression.
