Helsinki: Russia's ambitions extend beyond Ukraine and Moscow is seeking to restore at least the spheres of influence it held during the Soviet era, Finland's defense minister said Monday, according to public broadcaster Yle.

According to Anadolu Agency, Antti Hakkanen, Finland's defense minister, stated that Russia's imperial ambitions will not conclude with Ukraine. He highlighted the ongoing war that began in 2022 and is now in its fifth year, emphasizing the long-term and unpredictable nature of the Russian threat. Hakkanen urged that Finland must respond with calmness, firmness, and decisiveness to the situation, stressing the importance of strengthening Finland's national defense immediately.

The defense minister noted that the impact of increased defense spending in Europe would become apparent in practice in the 2030s. Finland is working in collaboration with Sweden to enhance its counter-drone capabilities. Hakkanen described this cooperation as a significant step towards closer Finnish-Swedish defense ties, demonstrating the commitment of Nordic countries to take greater responsibility for their defense.

Finland, which shares the longest border of any NATO member state with Russia, measuring 1,343 kilometers (834 miles), recently announced the completion of a 200-kilometer (124-mile) barrier along its border with Russia. The fence was constructed to prevent unauthorized entry after thousands of asylum seekers crossed the border in 2023, leading Finland to close its eastern border crossings. The Finnish government remains vigilant about the possibility of instrumentalized migration threats re-emerging.

The border fence project incurred a cost of £356 million ($416 million), with annual maintenance expected to amount to an additional £1.5 million ($1.8 million). The historical context of the Soviet Union's invasion of Finland in November 1939, known as the Winter War, serves as a reminder of past conflicts, where despite heavy losses, the USSR emerged victorious.