Merz in Finland: Summit meeting under the shadow of Russian troops!

Merz in Finland: Summit meeting under the shadow of Russian troops!

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is traveling to Finland to take part in the summit of the Nordic states in Turku. The meeting, which focuses on the defense of NATO alliance territory and economic cooperation, offers Merz the opportunity to meet with the heads of government of five NATO partners - Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Sweden. The visit to Finland marks the eighth country that Merz has visited since taking office three weeks ago.

A central theme of the summit will be military pressure from Russia, particularly given Finland's 1,340-kilometer-long border with Russia. Media reports speak of an upgrade of the Russian armed forces near the border, and satellite images show new warehouses and a large tent camp at a military base in northern Russia.

Overnight stay and bilateral discussions

Merz will stay in Finland overnight and plans bilateral talks with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and President Alexander Stubb. Stubb has close ties to Donald Trump and could give Merz valuable tips for his upcoming visit to the White House. Merz will also take part in a dinner with other heads of government in a medieval castle.

Meanwhile, the Finnish armed forces are preparing for possible military conflicts. Major General Sami Nurmi underlines the need to prepare for the worst as Finnish military intelligence anticipates a possible simultaneous attack by several Russian military units. Due to the tense security situation, Finland has decided to continue conscription for male citizens.

Support for Ukraine and regional security

Another central point of the summit will be the discussion about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The Nordic countries are strong supporters of Ukraine, with Denmark being one of the first countries to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The close cooperation with Denmark is highlighted. Merz will also address the issue of military support for Ukraine in the talks, as the political and security challenges in the region are becoming ever greater.

The challenge to Finland's national security has also been exacerbated by Russia's warnings about the consequences of joining NATO. Historian Christian Streit explains that Finland's neutrality was long an important element of Soviet-Russian foreign policy. Now the concepts of peace and war seem to be becoming increasingly blurred, as Finnish parliamentarian Jarno Limnell notes.

The situation on the Nordic borders requires not only military planning but also a coordinated political response. The upcoming summit could therefore be crucial for stability and security policy decisions in the entire region.

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