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🇫🇮 Finland /Conflict & Security

Häkkänen warns of Russia’s imperial ambitions: “The time to strengthen defence is now”

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said Finland must move quickly to strengthen its defence and avoid wasting time.
  • He warned that Russia’s “imperialist” goals extend beyond Ukraine and seek at least a return to spheres of influence from the Soviet era.
  • Häkkänen said the threat would be long-lasting and that defence planning must take a far-reaching approach.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen says Finland must move quickly to strengthen its defences because Russia’s threat will be long-lasting.

Speaking Monday at the opening of the 257th national defence course in Helsinki, Häkkänen said there was no time to waste. He urged Finland to look to the horizon and anticipate developments as it builds up its national defence.

The time to strengthen Finland’s defence is now, right now.

· Antti HäkkänenThe Finnish defence minister stressed the urgency of reinforcing national defence.

Häkkänen said Russia’s “imperialist” goals do not end with Ukraine. In his assessment, Russia seeks at least a return to spheres of influence that existed during the Soviet era.

He called for a cool-headed but determined response to the threat. Strengthening defence takes a long time, he said, making long-term decisions and planning essential.

Imperialist

· Antti HäkkänenHäkkänen used the term to describe Russia’s goals.
About this summary

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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