Celebrating Finland’s independence from Russia | 6th December

L. to R.: S. R. Sharp, CXO, Tom of Finland Foundation; Riikka Tiitola-Salmimies; wife of Okko-Pekka Salmimies; Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles; Durk Dehner, President & Cofounder, Tom of Finland Foundation. Finnish Independence Day 2023.

With the Russian Empire’s collapse during World War I, Finland took the opportunity to declare independence

There have been relations between Finland and Russia over many centuries, from wars between Sweden and Russia in the early 18th century, to creation and annexation of the Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire during Napoleonic times, to the dissolution of the union between Russia and Finland after the abdication of Russia’s last czar in 1917, resulting in the birth of modern Finland on 6th December.

Wars against the Soviet Union

Finland fought two wars against the Soviet Union during World War II: the Winter War and the Continuation War. The Finns suffered large losses in military personnel during these wars but inflicted severe casualties on the Soviet Union. Finland ceded 11% of its territory – including the major city of Vyborg – to the Soviet Union, but prevented the Soviets from annexing Finland into the USSR.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Finland as a EU country, imposed sanctions on Russia, and Russia added all EU countries to the list of “unfriendly nations”.

On 6th June 2023 Finland expelled nine Russian diplomats, believed to be working for an intelligence service. In July 2023 Russia ordered the closure of the St. Petersburg consulate and expelled nine diplomats. Entry into Finland for Russian citizens is denied. The Finland-Russia border is 833 miles long: All of the border crossings are now closed. Finland has declared Russia as deliberately using refugees as weapons as part of its hybrid warfare.

Finland formally became a member of NATO on 4th April 2023, finalizing the fastest accession process in the treaty’s history. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency has announced that the EU would assist Finland in securing its eastern border with Russia.

Published: 7th December 2023

Categorised in: Events