Understanding the war in Ukraine (2) - Finland

STG Director Prof Alexander Stubb sheds light on the war in Ukraine in a series of four video lectures.
Each lecture focuses on a different angle regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
After a general introduction in the first lecture, this second video focuses on Finland. Europe and the world will be up next.
More on eui.eu/stg
This episode was recorded on 24 March 2022.
#Ukraine #Ukrainewar #Russia #Finland

[@chuck1388]

From America, thank you for this educated, precise, well delivered, timely, informative presentation.

[@maghambor]

Mr Stubb is one of the best leaders in the Nordic.

[@Esoxhunt]

@@maghambor No he is not. He is the Scandinavian version of John Bolton.

[@fried1409]

His oratory skills are VERY impressive. Well done, clear, factual and understandable! Great stuff!

[@francoisamsallem]

You have been manipulated into a make believe conclusion based on a sophistic discourse. Try again later, you may improve your own skills.

[@drmodestoesq]

@@francoisamsallem Sophistic? What was sophistic about his speech? Secondly, perhaps you could point out parts of his position that you think are manipulated?

[@altergreenhorn]

LOOL Could be a nice speech a little one sided with some holes but ok until 7:30 no that's not what usualy happen unless some powers deliberately destroying country like US did back the 1991-99 instead of helping it to rise ... 8:47 He really lost me here Jelzin was democrat ? wtf are he smoking ? He shuld tell me that at the begining would spare 15 minutes on his propaganda babling.

[@stephaniepittaluga5057]

I agree! I enjoy listening to him. He is a model speaker in addition to being very smart.

[@HighPower762]

@@francoisamsallem Clearly I think you have confused the words "sophistic" with "sophisticated." Your take was the former, his take was the latter! BZZZTTT!🙈 Thank you for playing! You may collect your booby prize on the way out...🤡

[@0Cico0]

I have seen the interview with the "finlandisation" question, very nice answer was there, basta! :-) I see Finland as an example for my country, i am asking myself why some things are working perfectly there and why here in Slovakia we have struggle with almost everything. So dear Finns, thumbs up! Greetings from Bratislava.

[@ninjasnorlax_thefirst]

Take a look at how a lot of Slovaks view Russians till this day - Liberators. People here are envious (product of communism) and greedy (product of capitalism). They are unable to take responsibility for themselfs after being dictated what to think and what to do, hence there is a lot of social benefits requested by people. I'm not saying that's bad, but it is used as a weapon by politicans now. Especially when giving benefits to pensioners few months prior to elections is so effective. Poor population is easier to manipulate. Almost all ex-USSR countries / satelites suffer from oligarchy and bad management of state after gaining independency.

[@1watsonwatson]

Satanic NWO. This is the WEF's next plan kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3jahHZ8rKiGmdU

[@DirtyMardi]

It’s not all sunshine here in Finland either, and we also struggle with many things. Cheers to you and Bratislava! I’ve been there a couple of times and really liked the city. :) We may not have the burden of being a post-communist state with all the consequent baggage, but USSR still had way too much influence here. The legacy of which continues to live on, unfortunately.

[@imatrOlda]

Samozrejme, ze ve FI nefunguje vse perfektne. Odvazuju si tvrdit, ze zdravotni system funguje - alespon v CR (SK podobne?) - lepe, ale definitivne se mame my i cely svet mnohemu ucit od Finska. Pokud bych mel vyzvednout jen jeden hlavni bod, pak by to byla koncepce vzdelani. Z ni vyplyva mimochodem vetsi imunita vuci desinformacim (vime, jak je v tom zranitelne SK ci CR, ale i jine zeme). Podtrhl bych take jeden vyraz, ktery Stubb (ackoli zastupce finske pravice) zduraznil jakozto optimalni system: socialni svobodny trh. Finove nemaji radi extremy.

[@0Cico0]

@@imatrOlda Máte pravdu, možno trochu preháňam. Fínsko a Slovensko porovnávam pre podobný počet obyvateľov, u nich sa asi toľko nekradne keď si môžu dovoliť mať takú armádu (napríklad). Zdravotníctvo u nás ide dole vodou, je problém nájsť špecialistu a na niektoré zákroky si počkáte aj pol roka. Covid to len zhoršil, lekári a sestry toho majú už dosť a ešte nás čakajú ťažké časy. Asi je to len môj pocit, ale akoby u nás sa staral každý len o seba a svojich blízkych, miesto toho aby sme mali prioritu celú našu krajinu. A keď vidím akí politici sa snažia o návrat a aké naratívy používajú, je mi smutno. A to že ľudia veria kadejakým bludom, konšpiráciam a pestujú si bezdôvodnú rusofíliu, škoda slov.

[@0drat]

Really excellent for the rest of the world to understand the cost of Finland's independence .. Especially in context of Ukraine now.. Here's to not espousing Finlandisation for Ukraine.. we must support Ukraine to find its own path and independence. Great video thank-you.

[@ovidiudraghici9941]

With Polish, Slovak, Hungarian, Romanian/Moldovan, and Russian territories attached? And ruled by a bunch of corrupt politicians serving oligarchs? With thousands of neo-Nazis in their police force? Do you even understand what is going on there?

[@noIMspartacus2]

Meanwhile, back in the real world, with sanctions to the left, tariffs to the right and blaming everyone else for their criminally insane ponzi "economies" and warmongering messes as the rotting dollar gets dumped, don't these desperate parasitic scumbags and slimy presstitutes realize all they are doing is revealing just how broke and totally fracked up the "united" states of murica and king-CONNED-om really are? Yes... it's the economy stupid... again... so stop being sheeple regurgitating their treasonous fodder as they fleece you blind... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJzElKVtnJ1peLs

[@user-dz8wn7mh7w]

When they were a bridge between Russia and West they got profit from the situation

[@js0988]

Pretty rich for a guy who has sold Finland and it's people for decades has the balls to speak about the cost of Finland's independence!

[@pexxajohannes1506]

Spot on. His first comment: (0.36) we (Finland) have been intimetly tied with Russian, is more admission of his own Russia businesses than actual opinions and acts in Finland.

[@trossalbert5369]

Congratulations, Professor Alexander Stubb , on your well organized 4-part "Understanding the War". Thanks. Good job!

[@paskapaavo]

I didn't like Stubb when he was in power Finland, but now he is speaking with voice of sense: The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

[@altergreenhorn]

Could be a nice speech a little one sided with some holes but ok until 7:30 no that's not what usualy happen unless some powers deliberately destroying country like US did back the 1991-99 instead of helping it to rise ... 8:47 you really lost me here Jelzin was democrat ? wtf are you smoking ? He shuld tell me that at the begining would spare 15 minutes on his propaganda babling.

[@GuinessOriginal]

Personally I like the Finnish. I find them very logical and matter of fact, there is no bluster or BS. I had the pleasure of a Finnish boss for a while and he was excellent, one of the few good ones I’ve had

[@mathish1477]

As a forigner in Finland I couldn't make sense of his political stance, I just wasn't invested enough to dig. But he always seemed like a seriously smart guy.

[@RobBCactive]

Is it because voters reward rhetoric and deceitful points?

[@HighPower762]

I'm curious, what exactly about his leadership or political positions didn't you care for? Not being a Finn, I have little understanding of internal Finnish politics, I'm trying to understand what your criticism of him is/was?🤔

[@impossiblejonathan9650]

That was an invredibly interesting insight and an entirely new perspective. Thank you Prof. Stubb.

[@peternewman7940]

Great to get a Finnish perspective. Sage and sobering.

[@imnotanalien7839]

You are cool, calm, and collected and an excellent speaker on Finland history and it’s complicated relationship with Russia. The people in the US are chill and not chill. But our founding was different… millions of people running away from something… or someone (king, dictator, etc.). But I think right now… we need to understand what’s going on in different countries…. their point of view…. you are articulate and have the background to speak on the ‘European’ point of view. Thank you. 🌻

[@simoncolombo6640]

Yeah, I agree. I think some of the US commentators do not understand how thousands of years of local cultures impact the thinking in Europe. When you sit in front of the Pantheon in Rome and know that human hands built that colossal bilding some two thousand years ago or that the pub you go to was build by human hands 500 years ago. We know we are just a part of that history. Secondly, they fail to understand how the culture of democracy, which the US inherited because persecuted or poor peoples escaped to the US at various times from various locations, impacts us. The UK/England is the only country in Europe to have the same first-past-the-post electoral system that gives rise to a de facto two party system, which the US inherited from the UK. The rest of us live with politics based on compromise. One cannot live in a place like Europe without understanding that comprise is needed. Lastly, the impact of war. The US has not fought a war on its soil against anyone but itself. What we see happening in Ukraine brings out the sensation 'it's here again'. We all know the stories from our grand parents of parents or siblings they lost, there not being food or how messed up the men were when they came back from the front, if they did. We built the European Union to avoid war, but bigotry and hate are always there.

[@dunkdunkowitz500]

@@simoncolombo6640 I’m American, 56 years old, retired Navy and have traveled the world, including throughout Europe. I agree that as an American, when I actually did stand at the deteriorating steps of the Parthenon, I recognized the long timeline of history and looked at my own country’s very short history and knew we didn’t have 500 year old pubs, anywhere. We live on a continent between the East and the West that was only “discovered” either 1492 by Columbus or 1501 by Vespucci, pick your choice, let Spain & Portugal argue over it. That is when Europe became aware of the Americas. Our view of history starts with the Pilgrims, then the colonies, leading to the American Revolution and our Declaration of Independence in 1776. Our continent’s history is that of conquest and colonization, both of which have a sordid story. My personal ancestry is indelibly linked to Europe, specifically Welsh, German and Nordic. We’ve been attacked, by both our neighbors, so that point is moot. My view as an American on History is that we pledged neutrality in WWI, agreeing to supply equipment, and invariably the Germans would end up sinking our ships and trying to ally Mexico against us, so we were in. Just wanted to supply stuff, got sucked in. WWII, Germans at it again, same deal, we took an inward not get involved directly, send supplies, but again, losses at sea and death to Americans and the threat to all of Europe was what got us in. Meanwhile, Japan did a number in the Pacific, and we then got involved to put them back in their swim lane. Point is this. As an American, we may not have the history of Europe, or the knowledge of the delicate cultural compromises you have to maintain, but I do know that whenever a despot in Europe goes bat dung crazy, our phone rings…. It is unfair to levy opinion on what America understands about Europe. American blood is in the soil of Europe, twice. We didn’t need to, but what is right is right. We even broke the back of the Soviet Union in 1991 without a single shot fired by waging economic warfare (meaning we outspent them in the military industrial complex and they didn’t have the economy to back it up). My view is, Europe’s history is full of atrocity, back thousands of years. Why can’t you all figure out how to live peacefully? We are not without our own missteps and overreach, and I am acutely aware of how the world views the “American Cowboy” mentality. All of these nations that have a vested interest in their own people, and neighbors, yet when the proverbial stuff hits the fan, our phone rings. As an American I ask, “Why did you all let it get to this place?” We’re not the answer, we’re on a different continent and other than the threat of nukes, we are in no danger from Russia. Just thought I’d add a little American bbq rub on this conversation.

[@simoncolombo6640]

@@dunkdunkowitz500 Thanks for the comment. You made some very good points there. I think the answer is that 'cowboy mentality' or the fight for power and resources. The US has maintained an empire in order to secure resources, the European states did the same before that. We are a small continent with high population density... And then there is a desire for natural borders to make defence costs less. However, we have learned from our mistakes. That's why we have the European Union. Russia (and Ukraine not yet) does not belong to it. Russia is seeking resources and more defensible borders, given it's a declining state. So basically, geopolitics is the answer.

[@dunkdunkowitz500]

@@simoncolombo6640 I am truly empathetic to all good people of the world who are made to suffer because of geopolitics. That statement is inclusive of my own country’s role in it, as well as our own internal affairs. Let me ask you this: If there were no threat of thermonuclear warfare, do you think we would be in this situation? All other forms of warfare, whether soft (economic or cyber), or kinetic (conventional) do not threaten the very existence of our planet. Having those weapons in and of itself is a deterrent. Unfortunately in this case, that deterrence is akin to a knife to your child’s neck. Frozen into inaction. I do not know what or even if history will write of this. The Professor said 1 thing I completely agree with in this 4 part series, Putin achieved exactly the opposite of what he was seeking to do.

[@simoncolombo6640]

@@dunkdunkowitz500 I completely agree, but let's not forget who launched in the era of thermonuclear war. It's that clout that has allowed the US to do the things it has done geopolitically and resource wise since WWII, so let's not pretend the US is a victim here.

[@ericmyrs]

I don't think I've ever seen someone be this calm and this angry at the same time.

[@mikkoraassina]

When I flew regularly by Finnair in the early years of the 2000s, I used to read Mr. Stubb's columns in the Finnair magazine. He's a good writer, a great speaker, and a very professional analyst of what's going on in the world right now.

[@outty77]

I appreciate someone with actual information and history with Russia. It is a welcome deviation from the speculating, and often irreverent pundits here in the west.

[@simoncolombo6640]

Interesting. 'Here in the West'. You actually think that Finland is not part of the West?!

[@JohnThomas-li2vi]

@@simoncolombo6640 dont be funny you understand what he was saying, because I also am in the west and I understand what he is saying.

[@zazapachulia2532]

Russian Special forces gave the best interview here you have no clue whats really happening this answered lots off questions for me kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKLYZn5vlLR-pck

[@MarcosElMalo2]

@@JohnThomas-li2vi It is pretty clear that from a geographic standpoint, most of Europe is physically west of Finland. 😄 But to be fair, Finland is also west of Russia.

[@caesarforlife1663]

There is no factual information here. It's a presentation for young naive adults who have already been spoon fed baby food from the same food company. 😏

[@7g7na7]

As an American, I found Prof Stubb's four-part series extremely illuminating.

[@Jopatsu_]

Yeah i bet. He used to be the prime minster of finland and is a very good speaker. I may not agree with him on many issues but i have to admit that he is painting a good picture of finland to the outside world.

[@gregparrott]

The keyword to this presentation is 'balanced'. Thank you for doing such a well 'balanced' presentation, and providing a perspective we in the U.S. so rarely hear.

[@rockflowerful]

Thanks for this, I appreciate the clarity and the accessibility of your opinions.

[@inhocsignovinces8061]

As a Finn, everybody that I know of supports a NATO membership. The only thing people are talking about is what are the politicians waiting for, just leave the application already. Estonia, which has borders closer to Russia's St Petersburg than Finland has, is already a member.

[@Sir_Godz]

weve been holding a spot for you guys since forever.. perkele

[@RobBCactive]

I know as a country ready to deploy in the Arctic to back (at least) Norway, we want both Sweden & Finland already!! I saw the white painted specialised vehicles during the Cold war.

[@gwynedd1]

NATO will be happy to sacrifice your county to a greater end. All it will do is militarize your country and become a target. The biggest threat is alignment. My model state was Dubrovnik which kept its independence with nonalignment.

[@HighPower762]

@@gwynedd1 I think you're take on this is remarkably naive. The Baltic States and Finland already have a target on their back! If we don't check Putin's Imperial ambitions in Ukraine, those countries are definitely next. If nothing else, the current Ukraine invasion invasion by Russia proves that Ukraine does in fact need the protection of NATO. Which is why in his lecture, he pointed out that as soon as the Soviet Union collapsed, Finland got out from under the thumb of the Russians in order to guarantee their own security. They couldn't join NATO, but they're certainly seeking it now. If you border Russia, you have 2 choices: 1) Align yourself with Russia, like Kazakhstan, Georgia and Chechnya did. 2) Align yourself with the West and NATO, like the Baltic States and Poland did. There is no third option in modern geopolitics. Given a resurgent Russia with imperial ambitions means "Neutrality" is no longer possible. Even the Swedes, the same people who decided to sit out 2 World Wars, are clamoring for NATO membership.

[@gwynedd1]

@@HighPower762 NATO staged the coup in Ukraine. if you don't think so then you are naive There is no point disputing it because Victoria Neuland did not dispute the hacked call installing the new government. NATO 's goal has not been to stabilize the situation They have done everything to destabilize it Hey but good luck to you. if you think the NATO alliance is not full of power hungry sociopaths then its your vote.

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

I learnt quite a bit from this video. ❤ Thank you for this wisdom.

[@2018tundra]

This guy is the smartest politician i ever heard. I like it.sllava Ukrain from USA 🇺🇸

[@kalleranta2260]

He won the presidential election in Finland tonight. I think we're in quite good hands

[@jamesreynolds6750]

This is an excellent presentation. I look forward to more insights from you.

[@1972myk]

Best part of my time off this week has been this guy’s tweets and videos 🥇.

[@Obekant08]

Very interesting and thought-provoking! Thank you Alexander Stubb!

[@defacto_8840]

Please, more videos like this one! Thank you.

[@scaleyback217]

I found that quite fascinating. The first time I have heard an explanation of the post war Finnish mindset and predicament. I served alongside Finnish troops in the UN finding them extremely capable and physically tough soldiers. They would be a real asset to NATO.

[@guydreamr]

The train has left the station indeed. Thank you for your clear-headed insight, Mr. Prime Minister. We look forward to having you as a valued partner in the NATO alliance. Regards, from the USA.

[@enkhsaruultorguud9293]

Thank you Prof Stubb

[@WennAde]

I disliked him as a politician, but he's an excellent lecturer and I agree with pretty much everything in his analysis (but maybe calling Jeltsin democratic is a bit too much). Especially well he described Finlandisation - that was the best explanation for that phenomenon that I've heard. It's at the same time sometimes a somewhat useful term and, indeed, something of an insult. A foreigner using the term shows, though, at least lack of understanding of our situation back then, if not even disrespect.

[@tonysu8860]

I remember my impressions of Yeltsin as not cut from the same cloth as other Russian leaders, and some disliked his flamboyant and some would say irreverent style which was a big departure from the usual cold, everything is cut-throat business of typical Russian leaders. IIRC Yeltsin was also from one of the Baltic states and not from Moscow. So, although you might not say Yeltsin was democratic but you could also say his background and style in office was less brutally autocratic.

[@Dafnessific]

For what it's worth, I don't think English-speakers intend it to be disparaging.

[@suurvisiiri6615]

So few has like him.

[@KrissFliss]

That's why he said "democratic" with a small d!

[@m.walther6434]

Re: Finlandization: The term Finlandization has been invented as a smearword by a CDU (conservative) politician and a very rightwing journalist to discredit a new policy towards Russia and the GDR. Brought forward and implemented by a new Socialdemocrat (SPD) gounernment. Finlandization has been used to imply the SPD want's to weaken the German soveraignty to have good relations with Russia instead. What was utter bullshit anyway.

[@tractorpoodle]

These short lectures are great. Thank you for doing this.

[@marcinjakubowski6010]

Excellent video, thanks for spending the time to produce clarity on Finland's condition.

[@willyct207]

Thanks for your great input Prof Alexander. I am looking forward to #3 and #4 (South Africa.)

[@mvicmunt]

Bravo Finland!

[@yakamen]

I wish I had a teacher like this. So great to see more content of him. Brilliant guy. Fins should be proud.

[@umaisaacamadasun31]

Alex stub I have always love your thinking.

[@shutterFAQ]

Thanks a lot for this post. Its excellent and straight to the point!

[@Bill-xx2yh]

I thought Finland had found a "way" to simply SURVIVE, between separate powers and times, no one could of survived any differently. Proud of Finland for not being wiped out. From the good, or bad, forces. Well done

[@creativeandaliveat65]

Our Finnish character helped us along. We are shrewd, understated, and fiercely independent minded. We are receptive, resourceful, and committed to the well being of all.

[@Bill-xx2yh]

@@creativeandaliveat65 These are attributes anyone would be proud to have, and this world could of used more of. So proud of Finland "surviving well". God Bless you all.

[@user-bj1dq7zh4o]

Pres. Koivisto (1982-1994) wrote a book called Venäjän idea (2001), the idea of Russia. In a Russian interview about the book he was asked, so what is the idea of Finland? He answered in Russian simply ”vyzit” - to survive.

[@Bill-xx2yh]

@@user-bj1dq7zh4o well done under almost certain distruction.

[@timoseppa9124]

@@user-bj1dq7zh4o Koivisto was about the last Western leader to denounce Ceausescu in December 1989, which I found shocking and disgusting as an American Finn. I'm not sure I would listen to anything he said.

[@mariuszmusiaka9692]

Great intro and very interesting analysis from Finland's perspective.

[@yatchoychu3146]

Enlightening Lecture for us from Asia. Very well presented by Professor Alexander Stubb.

[@IronBelH]

Crystal clear. It’s such a pleasure listening to this coherent mind making the effort and taking the time to formulate thoughts. A politician and a statesman of a calibre that is rare. The only part that raised an eyebrow was the relatively good marks given to Mr. Jeltsin. Maybe Stubb was merely reflecting on the actual political circumstances, in which case he’s right. Personally, I hold Gorby in much higher regard than Jeltsin.

[@Robyn1684]

Great stuff.

[@grahamwallace4355]

Fascinating series of lectures love them. One small correction. New Zealand was the first country in the world to allow women to vote in 1893. Finland was the fist country to allow women to run for office.

[@jmolofsson]

Which is exactly why he *_stressed_* "and _stand_ in the election" No-one wants to offend the New Zealanders

[@MarcosElMalo2]

@@jmolofsson Hell, no! Offending New Zealand is the last thing anyone wants to do. They pretend to be all peaceful like hobbits, but they are just as deceitful as them. Never turn your back on a New Zealander. He might not stab you in the back, but he will poke you a new asshole. Edit: I’ve just been informed that it is wrong to use Lord of the Rings as source material.

[@alsatiancousin2905]

True.

[@johnbaugh2437]

I’ve seen prior interviews since the war began and very impressed

[@lip124]

This a really good lecture 👍👍

[@thetau12]

As a Polish, I always admired Finland for making the best possible decisions under similar circumstances as Poland. Of course Poland had even worse geographical position than Finland, but you made crucial argument that when you are in superpower's sphere of influence, waiting for right moment is absolutely everything. Meanwhile in Poland it was like hurra let's make revolution! Let's fight for independence! What? You say we have no plan, no weapons, no manpower, no allies and half of our generals want to fight completely different way? Details! We will make it work.... Yeah...

[@michaeljackmcneill9213]

Go poland

[@wytchend]

Thank you for this series Alex. I wish I could publicise this more. Everyone needs to know this story. I commend Fins for doing the right thing

[@darroniverson3373]

Spoken well. Agree with every point presented.

[@ave248]

Thank you for insights. So true about Yeltsin.

[@charleskristiansson1296]

I so agree with Alexander - no one knows the Russians better than the Finns. The EU should appreciate the Finns' experience and mastery in diplomacy borne from her incredible history. Paljon hyvää video.

[@intercat4907]

I had never heard of the STG. I looked it up. If you are half as good as you sound, then the world I wanted to see just might happen. Please live up to your goals and potential. Thank you.

[@1paulowey1]

Your videos and absolutely fantastic, I saw you on a mainstream news channel and I’ve been a fan since, smart man & educational, and informative, thanks! please keep making solid, truthful content.

[@Sir_Godz]

love this guy

[@nanooseguy327]

I have watched and totally enjoyed all 6 episodes on the War in Ukraine. Insightfully done and very well thought out. Thank you for the injection of sanity on an almost impossible situation. Kudos to you. Hello from Canada. 🇫🇮🇺🇦🇨🇦

[@pasosdegigante7]

So composed and so clear 😎

[@TheMannihilator]

A very good narrator. He gives good insight into NATO view on history and the world

[@airborneranger-ret]

Very nicely done ;)

[@jessicamorgan8659]

Excellent !

[@villagedesigninstitute4135]

Thanks for this intelligent assessment. I've been listening to a Finnish band named Amorphis!

[@ZiggyMercury]

In my opinion, Finland joining NATO would be a win-win for both sides. Finland, to my knowledge, has a very good army - so it will strengthen NATO, and NATO will protect Finland. And, importantly, I think what we've learned from the war in Ukraine is that being a NATO member is very different than being sympathized by NATO members, but not part of the alliance.

[@tommac5411]

Smart fellow. Stand with the Finns!

[@resrussia]

I enjoyed this talk on Finland. Does anyone have a recommendation for a book on the history of Finland either in general or after WWII?

[@physbang]

Smart and honest. Love this.

[@Barnettdan99]

Thank you

[@thusspokezarathustra]

Just wish our western leaders were as clear-minded, rational and precise in their communication as Prof Stubb so elloquentyly demonstrates. It is a delight to listen to his well presented points. Having Finland join NATO would be the inclusion of a strong and able partner in the defence against the tyranny present Russian leadership represent. The Fins are making a brave and justified decision taking into account the length of the border shared with its neighbour Russia and it's unfortunate historical relationship it endured under Soviet era Russian aggression towards it. The Fins however provide Ukraine with hope, as the brave battle they fought resulted in driving the Soviets out of Finland. With a bit of support the Ukrainians have shown they can achieve the same end.

[@balaamsdonkey1524]

POSITION ...........VERY WELL ..........ARTICULATED

[@maghambor]

Alexander Stubb is the superhero of the Nordic centre-right. This is the guy of all guys. He should be leading the EU.

[@reinfeddedewolff5565]

Thank You Very Much For This Crystalclear "Explanation" On Cold War/Finnish History Afterward Up to Now As A Northern European/Directly Russia Bordering "Nation".

[@Ian2126]

Brilliant

[@anaisailovic3357]

1.”We, human beeings ower-rationalize the past. 2. We over dramatize the prasent. 3. We end up underestimating future. “ That’s exactly what you have done in this video. True politician. Contradictory to previous expose you made.

[@aaron2709]

This guy is brilliant.

[@vincesmith4967]

Thank you. Your knowledge is most informative. I have always seen Finland a strong independent progressive nation and model for the world. Please join NATO. You failed to mention a very very important point: Finland’s actual contribution to NATO militarily but far more important your logical and rational contribution to the discussions and decisions of NATO. Thank you. The world will be a much safer place when Finland joins NATO

[@sergeydudukin4214]

Thats why they are smart and independent. World would be a much safer place without NATO

[@LRRPFco52]

Finland is not a model for the world. Finland has a tiny, mostly-homogenous population who has survived centuries of sub-arctic climate between 2 huge neighbors, the Swedish Empire and Russian Empire, who it was part of at different times in history until independence in 1918. The only closely-relevant places in the world are part of the North American continent in the Great Lakes region, and it still doesn't fit because they are connected to vast lands that have none of the geopolitical issues Finland has.

[@dm121984]

As a UK citizen, I found this video on Finland's POV on Russia as a very informative and useful overview of it.

[@jimf671]

"... never be alone again ... " 🤝

[@alanmoore2197]

Clear concise and rational. Geopolitics has moved for sure.

[@simplexj4298]

German speaking: Finland joining NATO would be one of the best long term signals towards Russia possible. If now even Sweden would consider joining ... too good to be true. The sooner the process is completed the better. Meanwhile Germany can start in its timeconsuming bureaucratic manner to make our Army, Navy, and Air Force operational again.

[@kelvinbritz9051]

That will take a long long time as I believe that Germany is going to crash its economy just to appease sleepy Joe Biden!

[@victorrumyantsev3718]

The sooner the process is completed the faster WW3 will start. It will be better maybe for you only if you wanna die as a "hero" or "martyr". Just switch on your little brain and imagine if Russia had it's own military European alliance like NATO and Mexico or Canada, for instance, had a thought to join it. What do you think would happen? What would be US reaction?

[@simplexj4298]

@@victorrumyantsev3718 Russian military alliance? That's hilarious! Only two ways to imagine that: 1. Russian alliance with a revolting Belarus army refusing to fight. Good luck, Russians! 2. Russian alliance with PR of China: that means China rules over Russia. Good luck, Russians! Which one would you prefer?

[@s.s.9276]

@@simplexj4298 Curiously, and how will China rule Russia?

[@simplexj4298]

@@s.s.9276 Simply by economic power. Beijing would put Moscow in a line with all their African 'allies'. China would help Russian economy on their feet again, keeping it weak at the same time, thus supporting the current Kremlin regime so it can just survive, not more. There's now doubt that Russia would be the junior partner in this kind of 'alliance'. Good luck, Mr Putin, and learn to bend down your head properly!

[@aska8923]

As Ukrainian i want to say one thing: don't loose your chance, be independent and live in peace. On your side we either defeat them or take them with us to hell😈

[@philthompson8574]

You won't do either, remember being angry doesn't mean being strong necessarily

[@unikeko96]

@@philthompson8574 very "inteIIigent" comment from you

[@philthompson8574]

And you can do that without being in Nato

[@unikeko96]

@@philthompson8574 You sure?

[@aska8923]

@@philthompson8574 yeah yeah our opinion is very important for us (nope)

[@toumazosdemetriou7632]

Brilliant man

[@pompom8315]

You've convinced me! Let's Finlandize Ukraine!

[@ghazisadoun7855]

The situation, history and challenges between Finland & Russia are very different than those between Ukraine & Russia. Pro Russian Fins in Finland do not exist however half of the Ukrainian people (concentrated in the East) ARE pro Russian. Big difference between Finland & Ukraine.

[@robertfrancis7450]

Great presentation thank you. Just for the record. New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote.

[@DNA350ppm]

Stubb stated it correctly (whereas NZ was the first country where women got the right to vote) Finland indeed was the first country where women got both the right to vote and to be elected, too, and in that first election 19 female parlamentarians were elected in 1907.

[@syokanaa9356]

@@DNA350ppm What you mean? Australia passed laws to permit voting and standing for election, to adult womenfor National elections from 1902

[@DNA350ppm]

@@syokanaa9356 I knew that Finland was NOT the first country to give women the vote. But I'm still rather certain that there were no countries outside Europe which made women electable earlier, as my whole life I've learned in source after source, that it was in Finland that women first in the world could become members of parlament in the same way as men. ( Korpela, Salla (December 31, 2018). "Finland's parliament: pioneer of gender equality". Finland.fi. Retrieved October 7, 2021 / Wikipedia) Edustajat (yht 200) valittiin ensimmäisissä eduskuntavaaleissa vuonna 1907. Valitut 19 naiskansanedustajaa olivat maailman ensimmäiset naiset parlamentaarikkoina. The first elections for the parliament in Finland were held 1907. The first women were 19 of 200 members as the first female parlamentarians in the world. (This, or similarly, is the normal way to express the matter - Finland takes pride in this very democratic parliament "for all", where age was the only restriction.)

[@syokanaa9356]

@@DNA350ppm Yes. Finland was the first country where women actually got elected to the parliament. Norway was the first independent country though were there was women elected. Brazil almost had the first female parliamentarian in 1871, but she didn’t take the seat in the end

[@DNA350ppm]

@@syokanaa9356 Each country tries to be proud of its own achievements!

[@blairhakamies4132]

AS is brilliant. 🌹

[@fundamentos3439]

Hyvää Päivää , Opettaja . Field Marshal Mannerheim , and Presidents Paasikivi , Kekkonen , and Koivisto were exceptional leaders , who knew how to deal with the USSR. Kiitos & Näkemiin.

[@danz1182]

Finland has played a limited hand largely brilliantly since 1917. I think you would be hard pressed find a county that had managed its position with equal skill. The one place where I think they could have done a bit better would have been to join NATO in the early 1990s along with the Baltics. The logic of joining was as compelling then as it is now but was, of course, not as readily apparent. Joining now is still, I think, the right course for Finland but it is not entirely without risks.

[@zoolkhan]

believe it or not, there are very good arguments against putting your army under the leadership of an american general - especially when a long streak of american war-failures are in evertbodys mind. Also beeing in the nuclear crosshairs is not a nice prospect either. You do not sacrifice that bit of your sovereignity w/o a very compelling reason and much deliberation. And had putin not taken the role of recruiter for the nato, we would not have this discussion.

[@jmolofsson]

One of the disadvantages with democracies is that decisions are taken not by the brightest and best informed but by voters and by politicians who represent them and can't afford to do the opposite of what their voters believe in. For better and for worse, democracies are slow (and conservative) in changing fundamental policies. This is a condition one must accept because it's much preferable to the alternative! There is plenty of _inertia_ in the system (unless one constructs democracies as two-party systems, when one instead can see a disastrous hysteresis, which we learned the hard way during our parliamentary period 1718-72). In 1995, also I was a proponent of NATO-membership for Finland & Sweden. But it was too early for the two peoples. They seemed to think _"Don't fix something that isn't broken!"_

[@talideon]

This is just a nit, but Ireland isn't constitutionally neutral. Our neutrality was originally a way to assert our independence from the UK and a way to avoid costly military action, which we could not afford after independence, which is why we ended up concentrating on soft power, peacekeeping, and intelligence. However, there is nothing in Irish law maintaining our military neutrality, only ongoing policy. That said, given how deeply embedded that policy has been for close to a century, it would take an existential threat to Ireland itself to see it abandoned.

[@jmolofsson]

Right! Alexander Stubb ought to have used Austria as the example of constitution-enshrined neutrality.

[@zsalaa1]

Many of the superpowers perspectives has been explained. I would love to see one from the Ukrainian side, which is very important too. Anywaw i admire the quality!

[@kartikadamon]

This is very valuable information. Thank you so much for these excellent videos. I pray Finland is able to quickly become a formal NATO country. I deeply respect The Finish people and your country.

[@tonysu8860]

Thank you, for your Finnish perspective of Russia both your country's relationship with Russia and Russia's relationship with the rest of the world. After listening to a series of lectures posted on KZbin by John Mearsheimer(University of Chicago), I was wondering how the world I've observed could be so different than his. I rather believe that the Finnish would have a better, more realistic perspective due to close proximity and actually living under the influence of Russia, particularly during the Cold War, the fall of the Soviet Union and then the Putin years. Hooray and thank you for your needed perspective on the complex relationship between Russia and European nations on its border.

[@Aan_allein]

Mearsheimer lol. Guy is a Tankie. A subscriber to spheres of influence

[@victorrumyantsev3718]

Finns would not have a better, more realistic perspective due to close proximity to Russia. Quite opposite, they have deeply biased opinion about Russia and what Russia is doing - they still looking at Russia through the prism of Winter war amplified by Western russophobia and scaremongering. So I would't trust what this guy said but rather listen and trust prof. John Mearsheimer. He is the voice of truth.

[@Blindkingofbohemia1]

Yes. John Mearsheimer is a fool.

[@joeordinary209]

Its sad that John Mearsheimer get so much You Tube time, regarding Russia and the attack on Ukraine that started 2014 his opinions are pretty flawed.

[@pingkai]

@@joeordinary209 He actually precisely predicted what will happen, so you can keep that " pretty flawed" bs.

[@mattiabianchi1517]

The Continuation War, also known as the Second Soviet-Finnish War, was a conflict fought by Finland and Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1944, as part of World War II.

[@unknownentity8256]

Fun fact Finland had to fight the Germans out of their land after Operation Barbarosa failed (Lapland War Sep 15, 1944 - Apr 27, 1945) when we refused to push beyond our old borders and fight for Leningrad (Current St. Petersburg) with Germany.

[@safermonk]

This! -We do NOT want to be left alone again.

[@pekinu1728]

Hyvä Stubb ja kolme pointtia! Miinus Ourasta ja sen esittelystä: tuosta helystä tunnistaa nykyajan "eliitin", mitä ikinä se kenellekin tarkoittaa

[@ralphmorgan6130]

I can understand why Finland was pro-EU after the cold war ended but had still thought (hoped) that joining NATO wasn't necessary (and might needlessly provoke Russia) during the 1990s when it looked like Russia might be on a path towards globalization and (hopefully) a more democratic form of government. But the time for Finland to rethink and start the process to apply to join NATO was probably back in the 2000s, and definitely by 2014 when Crimea was annexed by Russia. I worry that it appears (I may be wrong) that Ukraine wasn't able to join NATO since 2014 because NATO didn't want to (had rules against) bringing in a country that was already in an on-going conflict (in this case with Russia) - the goal of NATO is really to avoid a conflict with Russia by providing a very strong deterrent, rather than forming a military block to actually start fighting with Russia. So they want to have countries join NATO to reduce the risk of Russia attacking any NATO country, not have a country join NATO that might increase the risk of NATO getting into WWIII with Russia. So, if Putin suddenly sent a navy vessel to land a few troops on a Finnish Island such as Santio and Parrio and annex them, would Finland then be considered to already be in a 'ongoing conflict' with Russia and not be able to be accepted into NATO as a member? It's all very well to be a NATO 'partner' and have a military that is compatible with, and trained to operate with, NATO forces. But unless/until Finland is actually a NATO member, it might find itself in a war against Russia and only getting 'support' from NATO rather than NATO joining the fight (as is the current situation in Ukraine). Finland probably needs to get it's NATO application underway and get membership finalized before Russia finishes what it started in Ukraine, and maybe then does similar to Moldova via Transnistria. Can probably wait until the NATO meeting in July, but I wouldn't count on being able to join NATO in 2023.

[@simoncolombo6640]

I agree. That's why the membership application needs to go in quickly. The NATO agreement includes a clause based on which security guarantees can be granted even if the formal membership application has not been legally agreed to. Finland already has an agreement to allow NATO troops and equipment being allowed on its soil, so Finland would anyway come under attack, but then it would just be a problem of who defends the NATO capabilities on Finnish soil, NATO or just Finland.

[@sergeydudukin4214]

Why in the world Putin would take Finnish islands? Unless US bring pro American puppets to power to poke Russia in the eye with nuclear Tomahawks. Finland is smart enough not to put themselves in such position. This is for Poland, Ukraine, Baltic States. NATO is for US warmongering administration to make a proxy war with nuclear superpower with their stupid allies. You are either naive or mentally challenged if you think NATO is not going to initiate conflict with Russia one day. This is already happening in Ukraine. De-facto Ukrainian military was trained and controlled by NATO instructors to NATO standards.

[@mattijussila3007]

We very propably have negotiated security guarantees for the interim period. Also, it's different thing to send a company to an Island, and to hold it for a prolonged time. After joining NATO, we will be helping to secure the Baltic see, and can also support Nato in the Norther Norway area, we will be an asset, not a burden for Nato.

[@mattijussila3007]

I also think that Ukraine was not able to join Nato because of lack of defence capabilities before 2014.

[@j.lahtinen7525]

I agree. This is why we have a limited window of time right now, as Russia's military is engaged in Ukraine - the application must be submitted now, the sooner the better.

[@MattyK166]

"Great Powers with spheres of influence, imperial hangovers and fantasies are out. Self-determination and freedom to seek collective security (as per UN charter) is in." Dr Sean Welsh

[@ChristineMechtler]

Shred the Monroe Doctrine. Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba, feel free to put Russian missiles on your territory.

[@MattyK166]

@@ChristineMechtler 🤣 Thanks Tucker. GTMO exists in which country? Are you seriously arguing that in 2022, people in the world should accept a doctrine from 1823 that argued for spheres of influence, imperial hangovers and fantasies?

[@ChristineMechtler]

@@MattyK166 I’m arguing for nothing. Just saying if spheres of influence are out, the Monroe Doctrine needs to be shredded.

[@EatMyAzzOut]

For some reason I watched all of these backwards lol nevertheless very informative and good information. Definitely gave me a better understanding of the world we live in. Thank you

[@Coconutkid788]

If only this fine statesman was prime minister of the West at large …Finland must be so rightfully proud of this rational logical responsible human being. …

[@m.e.1367]

I live in the United States and we still have "centralized, hierarchical leadership". Not to the extreme that we see in dictatorships, but make no mistake about it, it's another form of hierarchy and it is also centralized. It's pyramidal in structure, with the federal, the executive branch at the top and even though there are some checks and balances (fortunately!) it's far from being uncentralized and it's definitely not horizontal or egalitarian in structure. If it were, we'd see many of the reforms that "the 99%" have wanted for decades upon decades and have never gotten and which it often appears, never will get. Capitalism by its nature brings with it more of plutocracy than a democracy, so the richest always come out on top no matter the situation. There are some reins in place - just not enough to really make for a truly contented populace. Of course, we could have more of a democracy if we had more community engagement. But there are always things which keep people from coming together: divisions which it is only in the interest of that 1% to keep stoking, as a matter of fact. I'm definitely not a Marxist, but I just don't want anyone to overidealize the US, because we have lots of problems here, too. Probably the biggest is a failure to live up to our stated ideals in practice. That, most likely, has more to do with the state of our internal spirituality and ethics than the external structures, though. We are weakened by that more than anything else.

[@ANGEL-eh6pd]

Yes, America is the number 1 Country in the World with the biggest wealth gap. 99% of us are working for the 1% elites.

[@SSDDssed]

I don't think you need to worry about anyone over idealizing the US. But you have made great contributions to the world, especially in the tech, art and entertainment department. US and Japan, Germany, maybe UK greatest countries in the recent times. Have some self respect without being arrogant. Oppressive totalitarian communist governments like China kills the human soul. And states limit the centralization in 🇺🇸 And you still have democracy, but you are extremely divided, ignorant and individualistic

[@MarkkuHanninen]

States limit the centralization in USA a lot. Putin can more or less change any oblast leader as he wishes or force them to submit even in few cases where people have voted wrong. In US it is not so easy to trample states’ rights and laws.

[@joythought]

+1 that people from Western countries outside the US generally don't romanticise the US. We leave that to you. We know that the US is the only developed nation where life expectancy is going down rather than up due to inequality, the aftermath of slavery, and an elite that tend towards a kleptocracy. We see that in the US, corruption is legalized. So the US can't have nice things like an effective equitable universal healthcare for example. But that doesn't mean we don't love you for being the founding of modern democracy and the frequently misguided cop on the beat of the world. We see your people as transactional in your business dealings but somewhat fair though oblivious to the benefits you derive from being the acquirer of most of the world's best new companies looking for venture funding and the power imbalance granted to every worker and capital allocator in the US compared to citizens elsewhere in the world just because of the power of the US petro-dollar. The list of privileges granted to souls born in the US is long though far too many don't know the realities of that nor the beauty and quality of life found by living outside because far too many US citizens have not been further abroad than Canada or Cancun. And yet for all of US's unfair advantages we admire and believe in the US and hope it can fulfill it's promise rather than fall into its own brand of anarcho-popularism that can torch global order and send tremors through the political landscape that the rest of us live within.

[@m.e.1367]

@@MarkkuHanninen That is one of the checks and balances, but even in the states, you just have a mini version of the same hierarchical structure which serves the power elite more than anyone else.

[@user-qt3qm6ff6p]

Impressive person! can he run to be also prim minister in Israel? :-)

[@oskar6607]

‪Good videos. The only thing I would quibble about is the description of why Sweden and Finland didn’t join NATO in 1949. One of the main reasons 🇸🇪 didn’t join Nato was that it believed that if it did it would leave 🇫🇮 to be absorbed by the Soviet Union. 🇸🇪 felt it could not leave Finland alone.

[@MarcosElMalo2]

You make that sound like Sweden was 100% altruistic. 😄 Maybe I am misreading you. I would suggest that Sweden was acting in its own interests as it saw them at the time. A digression: Sweden and Finland were not the only neutral countries during the Cold War. Indeed, there was an international movement of countries that didn’t want to choose between aligning with the Western (mostly European) democracies or the Communist Bloc. The schema of “1st World, 2nd World, 3rd World” was used to describe this state of geo-political affairs. The 2nd World was the communist bloc and those aligned with it. So one could say jokingly that Finland and Sweden were Third World countries, and there would be some truth to it. 😄 Of course, that schema was corrupted into something else that was disparaging to the so-called “Global South”. There were U.S. politicians who would manipulate racial hatreds by characterizing some U.S. cities as Third World because they contained a lot of non-white people. This is what gives the joke about Finland and Sweden some bite.

[@_LoremIpsum]

If it matters here in Italy _finlandization_ is not intended as a derogatory term. here we understand it as the ability to maintain a difficult balance by making the best of it

[@sosofilms6514]

Great talk ! as Georgian I wanna hear someone from Georgia reflecting on our relations with Russia as well!!

[@weketor2504]

I'd like to hear how Georgia became and stayed independent. Why did Russia leave you alone? Also, is it true that Georgians are way more "European" than many others in the area? Greetings from Finland.

[@emberson7850]

I want to know too. I also heard they only took small parts of land only to help some people get their independence in their own land respectively since the soviet union collapse. They don't want the rest of Georgia.

[@sosofilms6514]

@@weketor2504 @emberson hello, yes Georgians lean toward Eu, in 2014 we signed Eu association agreement, our people live with Eu values, we have less corruption than any other post soviet countries..whenwar stated in Ukraine ,people of Georgia were first to come and support Ukraine in front of Georgian parliament..However, unfortunately now we do have the leading party who shares a lot of pro Russian way of doing business,Georgian people protest against our leading party "Georgian dream" all the time, however our president remains adequate (we have a parliamentary structure)...As for how Russia 'left us alone", well it did not, 20% if Georgias territory is occupied bu Russia. we had a very painful war in 2008 in the region of Samachablo (actually Mr Stubb talks about it in his 1 video about War in Ukraine ) , which was transformed in de facto South Ossetia..the only reason Putin started this conflict was to have an active military presence 1 hour from Capital Tbilisi...So we are literally sitting on the bomb while Russia remains imperialistic...we are a small country hoping to get Abkhazia and South Ossetia back, only with the means of dialogue not war...cause we do respect people who currently live there...After declaring independence of both territories Russian politicians have done nothing but bringing poverty and regress to both Abkhazia and South Ossetia...so in the end it is not independent but a voluntary puppet of Putins regime..Greetings from Tbilisi, if you come here you'll see where Georgia stands..Slava Ukraine

[@weketor2504]

Thanks. All that sounds similar to the situation Finland has been in. You will get proper freedom once the time is right! Also seems like typical Russia: Maximum effort to bring chaos on every neighbor and minimum effort to fix their own huge problems. How about the oil resources there? Does Georgia have some or is it mainly Azerbaijan? Russia is always hungry for more land, oil and minerals even if it has too much already.

[@sosofilms6514]

@@weketor2504 fortunately for us.. Georgia has no oil and gas..we get it from Azerbaijan...the only reason to start war here was to warn West, bring terror bell in Caucasian region and of course direct inner conflict outside_ that's Putin's way..even In peace find an enemy outside to pull Western thinking countries back In poverty and misery

[@tommyg4985]

Hopefully Varoufakis is listening...He is seriously suggesting finlandization as a solution for Ukraine.

[@MH-sv1kp]

Who isVaroufakis?

[@drmodestoesq]

@@MH-sv1kp Some Greek guy. Bit of a lefty. But has a lot of realistic centrist views.

[@drmodestoesq]

Great... I also suggest to Mr. Varoufakis that Greece should not have sought independence from the Ottoman empire. Greeks (and their supporters, who were powerful and numerous) should have realized that the Ottomans thought that Greece should be in the Turkish sphere. And attempting to exit that sphere would involve vast amounts of violence and human suffering.

[@jh5kl]

@@MH-sv1kp he s a sold out populist, no integrity, beware of those who talk positively of him

[@donaldjmccann]

I like this guy!

[@Edwardegraham]

What do the Bloodlines, the old monarchs have to do with this?

[@Tu-Liki]

Being a part Finn, part Swedish, part Estonian, having served in Soviet Special Forces (sort of behind enemy lines situation and intelligence gathering), I have quite an insight in the subject matter and I can tell that Prof. A.S. is one of the brightest minds when it comes to the subject discussed here, EVERYONE should listen! WE HAVE BEEN TELLING THIS AND WARNING WEST for years now, MAJORITY DID NOT PAY ATTENTION, BEING COMFORTABLY STUCK ON A RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS NEEDLE STUCK IN THEIR ECONOMY VEIN, GIVING THE FALSE SENSE OF DELIRIUM LIKE "HIGH" TO MOST WESTERN COUNTRIES! TIME TO WAKE UP COLLEAGUES, TAKE COLD SHOWER AND SOBER YOUR HEADS! RUSSIA ALWAYS WAS, IS AND GOING TO BE HOSTILE TO ITS NEIGHBOURS, ESTONIANS, SWEDES, FINNS, LATVIANS, LITHUANIANS, POLES - WE ALL KNOW THAT AND - W E H A V E N O I L L U S I O N S!!!

[@carlosdislacuevas]

You said: "Russia always was, is and going to be hostile to its neighbors Estonians, Swedes, Finns, Ladvians, Lithuanians, Poles"... That is sad. So why is Russia such an aggressive country? No nation is safe and be in peace if it is close to that nation.