Germany and Finland to boost security cooperation, Berlin sees Finland as a model against Russia

Germany and Finland are set to strengthen their security cooperation, focusing on protection against hybrid attacks, cybersecurity, and enhancing European capabilities. The initiative comes as both nations navigate persistent threats emanating from Russia.

During a meeting in Helsinki with his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul praised Finland's resilience. He described Finland's approach to preparing for potential threats as "unexcited, but very focused" and a model from which Germany could learn.

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because it is an unexcited, but very focused way, how the population as a whole learns resilience, acquires it and practices it again and again.

Wadephul specifically pointed to Finland's robust civil defense measures, an area he believes Germany has neglected in recent years. He suggested that Germany could adopt Finland's practiced methods for building societal resilience.

The discussions between the two foreign ministers underscore a shared commitment to bolstering security in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges. Finland's strategic location and its experience with its eastern neighbor make it a key partner for Germany in developing a more coordinated European defense posture.

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We Germans can learn a good deal from that.