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Russia has moved almost all ground forces from Finland's vicinity to Ukraine, media report
(kyivindependent.com)
this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2024
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Well I've sat actual lessons on it in the army, from people who's literal job is defending this country.
Where are you getting your info from?
The point is that a majority of Finns saw no need of NATO even when we had shittier equipment for our military and no military alliances. Now we're in NORDEFCO and the EU. We've the advantage when defending, especially with our utilisation of our geography and the biggest and most accurate artillery in Europe.
What on Earth are you smoking, my man? That's literally all it is.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Defence_Cooperation
Just the combined power of the Nordic countries would be pretty significant against Russia. Swedes rule the Baltic Sea, we hold the border with Russia, and Norway holds the North, with tons of cooperation that's been practiced for decades (Official Finnish Defence Forces channel) .
And if Russia attacked an EU country, every member nation is required to assist?
"... by all means in their power. "
That means military aid, troops, for those who can. France, Germany, UK, Poland, everyone.
This is why we can't send troops to Ukraine, because that could be seen as an aggressive move by the EU against Russia. But if Russia attacked Finland, or any other member of the EU, Russia would be practically declaring war with them all.
Ukraine is a big country, yes, but compared to the entire EU, it's something Russia dares to challenge.
It wouldn't dare to challenge the European fucking Union.
How so? A majority of Finnish males are in the reserves, and I remind you that as we saw from the Yle article you linked, before 2022, most Finns were opposed to NATO.
We're not so authoritarian that we demand people can't have their own opinions.
~75% of Finnish males go through the service and thus are in the reserves up until they're 55-65 (NCO's and officers remain in the reserves 10 years longer.)
It's alway fun talking to some American who thinks their military equals NATO (one of the reasons NATO wasn't so popular here) and think they're some knight in shining armor saving a damsel in distress.
Sorry bruv, but American troops wouldn't manage shit in Finland.
A group of conscripts from a supply group (ie a group of cooks, basically, who get six months of training) defeated a USMC group in an exercise here in Finland.
https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/65e5530a-2149-41bd-b509-54760c892dfb
Oh fuck that's paywalled.
https://www.quora.com/Did-the-Finnish-military-just-beat-the-US-Marines-in-Cold-Response
That's better.
You should be more open to what you don't know instead of assuming you do.
I don't care to go through all your misunderstandings, but this is probably key enough to show you don't really grasp the basics.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Defence_Cooperation
It's not a binding agreement. It's based on voluntary cooperation, as is with quite clear letters in the name. But is is most definitely purely for defence cooperation. To challenge that would be silly.
Why'd you skip over 95% of the comment?
Where did you sit your lessons on Finnish military capability, especially in regards to a war with Russia?
Mine were in the Pori Brigade, and Häme Regiment for my special training.
And the EU article is a very clear defence pact.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/mutual-defence-clause.html
Please, do respond to the other points. I'm interested.
Did you also skip the part where I was completely right about the support numbers? Probably because I actually live here, and you had to quickly just Google something?
Please show me where I make just a hint about that, I have not written ANYTHING about the Finish defense capabilities.
The reason I don't care to go through all, is that it's just to damned much.
Yes EU is an actual defense pact, but it lacks structure and capability, because most countries have relied much on USA for the actual military muscle.
This has been shown in our lacking ability to supply Ukraine without USA. Also EU unfortunately doesn't include UK anymore, which would be the best militarily prepared country if they were in.
EU is ramping up now, so we will be less dependent on USA. And I'm happy we have Finland and Sweden with us. (Denmark here)
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, things were different, there was a strong effort for cooperation with Russia, which unfortunately they didn't appreciate as we had hoped. So if by "before" you mean when Russia had not shown their true colors, I'd believe the 50/50 thing. The difference is the invasion. And after that it was certainly not 50/50, and it became clear the danger to Finland had increased too.
The part of the Russian strategy I'm talking about, was exactly about Russia poking in places that was NOT Nato, but where they might have a chance to divide both Europe and NATO, and Finland could be such an area to poke.
Obviously we are all standing much stronger now, because we have been strengthened both EU and NATO, and Russia has been weakened. But if Ukraine had fallen when USA didn't support them much for 8 months, the situation could be way more dangerous than it is.
Ok:
"Our lacking ability to supply Ukraine without USA". It's not about the lack of ability. It's about Ukraine not being in EU, so direct military aid, and especially troops is harder to send. Our militaries aren't designed to be overflowing with equipment we can just donate away, so it takes a bit of time to see what can be taken and from where. EU is now, afaik, making seized Russian assets available to Ukraine, and getting money to buy armament with is quite as important as getting armament. Even more so, because with money you can also buy non-armament supplies, which are also needed.
Finland has never trusted Russia. Sweden tried to, a bit, by generously demilitarising Gotland, up until it had to rearm it a few years back because after there was no military there, suddenly Russian tourists of military serving age started "touring" it. Now there's a permanent base again.
What are you on about? Do you know how the Winter War and the Continuation War played out? How would Russia attacking Finland "divide" Europe, unless you're implying that Russia is a part of Europe, because we were more discussing in the context of the European Union, not Europe in general. European Union is very strong and there's articles that have been agreed to. International politics don't really work with the "no I'm not gonna, because I don't wonna" attitude.
You're severely underestimating Finland's defenses pre joining NATO. And that (usually American) cockiness is exactly why a lot of people still oppose NATO.
OK
Again, skipping 95% of the reply, but still you feel the need to answer.
That's rather weird.
How would Russia attacking Finland "divide Europe"?
Ukraine had no defense cooperation with any country, yet people still think Finland is in a similar situation, and like you, always willfully ignore NORDEFCO and the EU.