Moscow blames EU state’s presidents of ‘whipping up war psychosis’

(MENAFN) Moscow has accused Finland's leadership of fueling a “war psychosis” and encouraging its population to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia. Russian Ambassador to Finland, Pavel Kuznetsov, claimed that Finnish authorities are spreading fear by promoting the idea of “Russia’s aggressive plans,” and have been intensifying efforts to bolster civilian military readiness.

Kuznetsov highlighted increased media coverage of bomb shelter renovations, growing shooting club networks, and expanding the age range for reservists, all of which he argued were part of an effort to justify Finland's rapid NATO membership and rising defense expenditures.

Finland, which shares a nearly 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, officially joined NATO in April 2023 in response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The country has since ramped up its defense policies, including enhancing military training and preparing citizens for possible conflict. A surge in interest for weapons training and new shooting facilities has been reported, alongside government guidance on how to prepare for armed conflict.

Other Nordic nations, such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, have also taken steps to prepare their populations for potential crises, including military threats. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims of Russian military aggression, calling them "nonsense," while reiterating that NATO’s military activities near Russian borders are a growing concern.

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