Publication

This paper argues that Finland sees Russia as a source of opportunities and threats. On the one hand, Russia is an important trade partner and Finland believes that intensive political contacts with Russia provide a boost for its international profile as a militarily non-aligned broker between the West and Russia. On the other hand, Finland is concerned by the Russian vision of the international order based on great powers’ spheres of influence, and by Russia’s increasing military capabilities. The text’s author also explains how Finland’s strategy towards Russia reflects this situation, including as it does a combination of economic and political co-operation —aimed at reducing the risk of bilateral tensions— as well as military deterrence.