**Finland Anticipates Russian Military Build-Up After Ukraine War Ends**
Finland is bracing for a potential Russian military build-up on its borders once the war in Ukraine concludes, according to recent reports. The Guardian reported on May 21 that Finnish defence forces expect Russia to increase troop presence near their shared border.
Maj Gen Sami Nurmi, head of strategy for Finland’s defence forces, told The Guardian that Russia has begun moderate preparations for building infrastructure close to the Finnish border. This development comes as NATO officials have warned that Moscow could attack alliance members in the coming years.
Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023. Nurmi stated that while the Russian military is currently conducting moderate preparations, it’s uncertain whether these efforts are focused on sending more troops to Ukraine or building up forces near Finland’s border.
The Finnish Border Guard announced the completion of the first 35 km (22 miles) of a planned 200 km fence along its eastern border with Russia. This move follows Helsinki’s accusations that Moscow orchestrated a “hybrid operation” by directing asylum seekers toward Finland, which intensified after the country joined NATO in 2023.
U.S. President Donald Trump assured on May 20 that Finland and Norway would remain “very safe.” However, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov previously stated that Russia must be ready for a potential conflict with NATO within the next 10 years. Moscow has also issued veiled and overt threats to the West over its support for Kyiv.
In response to these concerns, NATO countries in Russia’s vicinity are intensifying their preparations for a possible conflict. Poland and the Baltic countries have moved to abandon a treaty banning land mines and are strengthening borders shared with Russia and its ally Belarus while urging higher defense spending across the alliance.
**Key Points:**
* Finland expects a Russian military build-up on its borders after the war in Ukraine ends.
* Maj Gen Sami Nurmi, head of strategy for Finland’s defence forces, stated that Russia has begun moderate preparations for building infrastructure close to the Finnish border.
* The Finnish Border Guard completed the first 35 km (22 miles) of a planned 200 km fence along its eastern border with Russia.
* NATO officials have warned that Moscow could attack alliance members in the coming years.
* Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated that Russia must be ready for a potential conflict with NATO within the next 10 years.
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