Finland is able to mobilise 280,000 people for war with Russia

In an interview with the German TV channel Welt, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that Finland could deploy more than 280,000 people to defend the country in the event of a war with Russia.

Here's What We Know

"If a war breaks out, we can immediately call 280,000 people to service," said Alexander Stubb.

The President also noted that the Finnish Air Force, Navy and Army are among the strongest in NATO. According to him, since the Middle Ages, the Finnish people have fought 30 smaller or larger wars with Russia (both the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union).

"Our security policy is based on realism. Since we did not join NATO after the end of the Cold War, we decided to maintain a strong army. Part of that policy was conscription," Stubb explained.

He also stressed that, like Poland, Finland has a "high level" of army, 9,000 trained professional soldiers and hundreds of thousands of citizens who can be mobilised.

"Finland is safer now than it has been in recent decades. There are several reasons for this: firstly, our armed forces, and the fact that we are part of the largest military and defence alliance in the world - NATO," Stubb said.

"In addition, the Finnish leader assured that he does not see diplomatic relations with Russia in the near future.

Source: Welt