the development of russian military policy and finland

6
CONCLUSIONS FROM THE FINLAND’S POINT OF
VIEW
6.1 Alliances and Proclamations of Solidarity
T
he major global geopolitical changes and deep economic problems of
many countries have also affected Europe and the neighbourhood of
Finland. The foundations of the European Union and NATO no
longer appear as solid as at the turn of the century.
The most important NATO and European Union member states have greatly
reduced their defence spending. A profound difference of threat assessments
can be found between old and new NATO member states. The strategic interest
of the United States is increasingly focused towards the Asian direction.
194
Russia is significantly increasing her defence expenditure, and also growing
stronger militarily. The smaller countries are uncertain and confused as to how
to organize their security.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which was established primarily to
protect the security of Western Europe against the Soviet threat, has been
largely dismantled. Except for the integrated command and control system,
NATO’s armed forces have in practice been armed forces of sovereign member
states, which have decided independently on how to use their forces. The
political goals to guarantee the security of member countries have remained,
although with the exception of the United States, the allies’ military capability
is questionable. The decision taken by the four Visegrad countries in May
2011 speaks for itself.
NATO’s Article 5 reads as follows:
The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or
North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they
agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual
or collective self-defence recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United
Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually
194 Clinton, 2011.