The expansion of the participation of the Finnish army in international exercises will be a strong signal directed towards Russia, Yle told the Minister of Defense of Finland Anti Kaykkonen.
During the consideration of an application for accession to NATO, the country will more often take part in international military maneuvers, he explained. Now in the port of Helsinki there are four alliance ships, who arrived at the exercises in the Baltic Sea. “This is a clear signal that Finland is supported, and this also helps to strengthen defense,” RIA Novosti quoted Kaykconen.
The chairman of the Parliament committee on the defense of Peteri Orpan agreed with the opinion of the head of the defense department, according to which the visits of NATO warships speak of support from the organization. “This is a strong political signal to other countries, as well as a message for Russia that we are seriously treated,” the deputy said.