Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen has raised significant concerns regarding China’s financial and military support for Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking to AFP, Hakkanen highlighted that the depth of cooperation between Russia and China poses escalating security threats to Europe and challenges for NATO.
He stated, “China is currently massively financing Russia’s war chest,” emphasizing that without this assistance, Russia would struggle to sustain military operations for an extended period. While acknowledging that India provides support through different channels, he noted that China’s actions are more deliberate and directly impactful.
Hakkanen elaborated on the nature of Chinese assistance, indicating that China is supplying military components to Russia, collaborating in defense production, and conducting joint military exercises across various strategic regions, including the Arctic and Indo-Pacific. He framed these developments as substantial yet manageable challenges for NATO.
In response to the evolving security environment, Nordic countries are enhancing their defense collaboration to better address future threats. During a recent meeting with his Nordic counterparts in Helsinki, Hakkanen discussed initiatives, including the unified operation of 250 Nordic fighter aircraft. The participating nations—Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark—are committed to augmenting their ammunition production capabilities and establishing military mobility corridors throughout the Nordic region.
The context for these actions is Finland’s decision to join NATO in 2023, abandoning its long-standing policy of military non-alignment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With a substantial border of 1,340 kilometers (830 miles) shared with Russia, Finland’s commitment to NATO signifies a critical shift in its defense strategy, as it seeks to bolster collective security in the face of emerging threats.
