After the Winter War with the Soviet Union, which lasted 105 days, Finland began developing a concept of total defense. In the 1940s, the country preserved its independence but was forced to cede over 10% of its territory to the USSR. More than 400,000 Finns lost their homes and were evacuated by the government to other parts of Finland.

Since then, the state has been comprehensively building its national defense, involving the entire society and economy, not just the armed forces. Cooperation with neighboring countries has also been crucial — particularly with Sweden. Among the joint Finnish-Swedish projects is the Hanaholmen Cultural Centre, which began operating 50 years ago. One of the first discussions held there focused on security policy — a topic that remains central to the center’s agenda today, says Hanaholmen's Chief Executive Officer, Gunvor Kronman. Finland’s accession to NATO in the spring of 2023 has not shifted the country’s focus away from its own defense. “If we are NATO members, that it doesn`t mean that we should rest and think that somebody else will come and help us if we need,” Kronman says.

Russia, with which Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border, also keeps the country on alert. In addition to building military infrastructure near the border, Russia has used migrants as a means of pressure — directing them toward the Finnish border during the 2015 migration crisis. Currently, Finland has completed the first 35 kilometers of a fence it is constructing along the closed eastern border with Russia to stop migrant flows.

Journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk talks to Gunvor Kronman about how Finnish society prepares to defend the country, the defense courses, what every Finn is expected to have for emergency situations, how the war in Ukraine has stirred memories of Finland’s own wartime experiences, and the resilience of the Palestinians.

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