Minister Niinistö: Finland needs to rethink its defence of Åland

   (Yle.fi) --- F Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö says changes in the international geopolitical landscape such as the Ukraine crisis mean that Finland should reconsider its defence policy, particularly with regard to the Åland Islands -- a neutral, demilitarized zone by international agreement.

Finland's Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö 

Image: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva

   Finland's Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö says Finland should reappraise its defence policy in light of increased military operations in the Baltic Sea.

   "Finland must be prepared for any potential situations and defend all of its territory. We have to consider how we would provide official assistance to the Ålands, if such a situation should arise," said Niinistö.

   In an interview with Lännen Media regional news service, the topic of Åland came up, and Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö  of the Finns Party volunteered that he thinks Finland should be prepared for a situation in which Åland might be invaded by foreign soldiers.

   "Several scenarios have been considered. War can start without an official announcement," revealed Niinistö, referring to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. 

   The Minister justified his comments by saying that on the heels of the Ukraine crisis, security policy considerations have dramatically changed. For example, military traffic in the Baltic Sea by both Russia and NATO has increased.

Russia doesn't recognize Åland neutrality

   Niinistö says the current status of the Åland Islands is clear from the Finnish perspective: in a crisis situation, the Ålands must be kept out of the conflict, in line with international agreements. But Russia's view is not consistent with this.

   "The Russian Consulate monitors the demilitarisation of the Åland Islands, but it has not accepted its neutral status," he says.

   Åland's politically neutral status guarantees that the autonomous island would remain untouched during a crisis situation.

   An area designated with a neutral status is meant to be left in peace in the event of a crisis, while a region that is denoted as demilitarised means it contains no military presence, artillery or materiel.

   Finland's Defence Minister says his comment should not be construed to mean that he feels the probability of a conflict has risen. He says that Sweden and Finland plan to enhance their cooperation, according to the new government programme. 

   "I don't exclude the possibility that Sweden and Finland would share a joint vision of matters associated with the Åland Islands in the future," says Niinistö.