Russia-Finland: A Tense Border
The border between Russia and Finland is one of the longest and most stable in Europe, but also one of the most sensitive. It reflects the complex and sometimes conflictual history of these two neighboring countries, as well as their current geopolitical challenges. In this article, we will explore the origins, evolution and implications of this border, based on the documentary series “The Bottom of the Cards” by ARTE.
A Border Shaped by Wars and Treaties
The border between Russia and Finland has changed several times over the centuries, depending on the balance of power and the political interests of the two countries. Finland was part of the Swedish Empire until 1809, when it was ceded to Russia after the Finnish War. Finland then became a Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire, enjoying a high degree of autonomy and cultural identity. However, the rise of Finnish nationalism and the weakening of the Russian Empire in the early 20th century led to the Finnish Declaration of Independence in 1917, following the October Revolution in Russia.
The new border between Russia and Finland was not recognized by the Soviet Union, which sought to regain control over the former Grand Duchy. This resulted in a series of wars between the two countries, known as the Finnish-Soviet Wars, which lasted from 1939 to 1944. The first war, called the Winter War, was triggered by the Soviet invasion of Finland in November 1939, after the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union had divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. The Soviet Union wanted to secure its western border and gain access to the Baltic Sea, but faced a fierce resistance from the Finnish army, which used guerrilla tactics and ski troops to fight in the harsh winter conditions. The war ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty in March 1940, which forced Finland to cede 11% of its territory, including parts of Karelia, Salla, Kuusamo and some islands in the Gulf of Finland, to the Soviet Union.
The second war, called the Continuation War, was a result of Finland’s alliance with Nazi Germany, which invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. Finland saw this as an opportunity to regain the lost territories and to expand its borders further east. However, the tide of the war turned against the Axis powers, and Finland had to sue for peace with the Soviet Union in September 1944. The Moscow Armistice restored the borders of the 1940 treaty, and also required Finland to cede the Petsamo region, which gave access to the Arctic Ocean, and to lease the Porkkala peninsula, near Helsinki, to the Soviet Union for 50 years. The armistice was followed by the Paris Peace Treaty in 1947, which confirmed the territorial changes and imposed war reparations on Finland.
The third war, called the Lapland War, was a conflict between Finland and Nazi Germany, which refused to withdraw its troops from northern Finland after the armistice with the Soviet Union. The war lasted from September 1944 to April 1945, and ended with the expulsion of the German forces, who scorched the earth and destroyed infrastructure as they retreated.
A Border Marked by Cooperation and Distrust
The border between Russia and Finland stabilized after the end of World War II, and became a symbol of the Cold War division of Europe. Finland adopted a policy of neutrality and cooperation with the Soviet Union, known as “Finlandization”, which allowed it to maintain its sovereignty and democracy, but also limited its foreign policy and defense options. Finland joined the United Nations in 1955, the Nordic Council in 1956, and the European Free Trade Association in 1961, but remained outside of NATO and the European Economic Community. The border with the Soviet Union was heavily guarded and controlled, with restricted access and movement for both sides.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 opened a new era for the relations between Russia and Finland. Finland recognized the independence of Russia and the other former Soviet republics, and established diplomatic and economic ties with them. Finland also joined the European Union in 1995, and became part of the Schengen Area in 2001, which abolished border controls within most of Europe. The border with Russia became the easternmost external border of the EU, and the longest land border between the EU and a non-EU country. The border was modernized and facilitated, with new crossing points, customs procedures and visa regimes. The trade and tourism between the two countries increased significantly, as well as the cultural and educational exchanges. The border also became a source of cooperation and dialogue, with joint projects and initiatives on environmental, security and regional issues.
However, the border also remained a source of tension and distrust, especially after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the subsequent deterioration of the relations between Russia and the West. Finland, as a member of the EU, imposed sanctions on Russia, and increased its defense spending and cooperation with NATO, although it has not applied for membership. Finland also expressed its concern over the military activities and exercises of Russia near its border and airspace, and the cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns attributed to Russia. Russia, on its part, accused Finland of being influenced by the US and NATO, and of interfering in its internal affairs, such as the protests in Belarus and Navalny’s case. Russia also reduced its trade and tourism with Finland, and increased its border controls and restrictions, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and security reasons.
