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"When we look across the border now, we see a Finn on the other side. If Finland joins NATO, we will see an enemy." Putin to a Finnish journalist in 2016 accor

"When we look across the border now, we see a Finn on the other side. If Finland joins NATO, we will see an enemy." Putin to a Finnish journalist in 2016 according to Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in an interview with the German magazine 'Der Spiegel' https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/finnish-president-sauli-niinistoe-on-putin-and-the-ukraine-conflict-a-bb9281d3-2cc6-49a1-87eb-199569991c79 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/finnish-president... I guess, the russians are finnished.

Hamuko 4y ago
I think all countries bordering Russia at the moment see an enemy on the other side. And not being in NATO is clearly not a guarantee of not being seen as an enemy by Russia, so might as well join NATO.
baq 4y ago
[insert 'select all squares with finnish snipers' meme] Anyway, Putin says a lot of things. He doesn't see a friend in anyone, never has, never will. An enemy is just a small downgrade from status quo. > I guess, the russians are finnished. Da.
- Borrible 4y ago
  Just so the audience knows what we're talking 'bout, when we're talking 'bout Finnish soldiers... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aimo_Koivunen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aimo_Koivunen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_(2017_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_(2017_film... I'm starting to feel sorry for russia. But it earned it. And I couldn't care less what Putin and his cronies fantasize. “We cannot negotiate with people who say what's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable." John F. Kennedy, 25 July 1961
  - mijoharas 4y ago
    Don't forget about Simo Häyhä[0] (most sniper kills of anyone ever I believe) [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4
supergirl 4y ago
is he wrong? the sole purpose of NATO is to counter Russia. that's why it was formed in the first place (against the Soviet Union, at that time).
- stackedinserter 4y ago
  The sole purpose of NATO is to defend from Russia. Nations join NATO because they afraid of Russia, not because they want to conquer Smolensk.
  - supergirl 4y ago
    defense doesn't have to mean "wait to be attacked and then fire back". obviously defense is an ongoing process to weaken the enemy: e.g. arranging coups. NATO even bombed countries without having been attacked (Yugoslavia, Libya); I'm sure they have no issue with launching more covert, deniable, attacks.
    - CRConrad 4y ago
      > e.g. arranging coups. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31354277 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31354277
libertine 4y ago
He looked across the Ukraine border and saw Nazis on the other side, so at this point his sight chooses to see what ever he wants to see. Putin burned all bridges unfortunately, he can't seat at any table and be believable since he stomped on a bunch of international laws and treaties.

Hamuko 4y ago

I think all countries bordering Russia at the moment see an enemy on the other side. And not being in NATO is clearly not a guarantee of not being seen as an enemy by Russia, so might as well join NATO.

baq 4y ago

[insert 'select all squares with finnish snipers' meme] Anyway, Putin says a lot of things. He doesn't see a friend in anyone, never has, never will. An enemy is just a small downgrade from status quo. > I guess, the russians are finnished. Da.

Borrible 4y ago
Just so the audience knows what we're talking 'bout, when we're talking 'bout Finnish soldiers... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aimo_Koivunen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aimo_Koivunen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_(2017_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_(2017_film... I'm starting to feel sorry for russia. But it earned it. And I couldn't care less what Putin and his cronies fantasize. “We cannot negotiate with people who say what's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable." John F. Kennedy, 25 July 1961
- mijoharas 4y ago
  Don't forget about Simo Häyhä[0] (most sniper kills of anyone ever I believe) [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4

supergirl 4y ago

is he wrong? the sole purpose of NATO is to counter Russia. that's why it was formed in the first place (against the Soviet Union, at that time).

stackedinserter 4y ago
The sole purpose of NATO is to defend from Russia. Nations join NATO because they afraid of Russia, not because they want to conquer Smolensk.
- supergirl 4y ago
  defense doesn't have to mean "wait to be attacked and then fire back". obviously defense is an ongoing process to weaken the enemy: e.g. arranging coups. NATO even bombed countries without having been attacked (Yugoslavia, Libya); I'm sure they have no issue with launching more covert, deniable, attacks.
  - CRConrad 4y ago
    > e.g. arranging coups. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31354277 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31354277

libertine 4y ago

He looked across the Ukraine border and saw Nazis on the other side, so at this point his sight chooses to see what ever he wants to see. Putin burned all bridges unfortunately, he can't seat at any table and be believable since he stomped on a bunch of international laws and treaties.