Scandinavian observations and perspectives

[thorbiorn]

This was a good one, in terms of the reporting on the bombardment by the media towards preparation for war against Russia. Malinen, who was interviewed, repeats the story of how easily it would be to isolate Finland and be forced to negotiate if Stockholm is destroyed and the island of Gotland in the Baltic sea is taken by Russia. This would be an extreme scenario, and seems to be highly unlikely, but it shows the absurdity of a hypothetical full-scale NATO war using Finland as one of the launching grounds.

The above scenario brought up the question of the Danish Straits, because what would be the value of Finland and Gotland if the straits are closed.

When we look at the maps, the Danish Straits are narrow:

In the comment, it is written:

Map of Danish Straits maritime chokepoints
The Danish Straits, a series of channels that connect the Baltic Sea to the North Sea, are an important route for Russian seaborne oil exports to Europe. An estimated 3.2 million b/d of crude oil and petroleum products flowed through the Danish Straits in 2016. go.usa.gov/xRvFp

That was a few years ago!

The places where larger ships can or do sail is small.
A map with more details is from danpilot.dk, a service that offers ship guidance through the waters:

There is strategic advantage of these straits, which is maybe why the US called them chokepoints, since Denmark is a part of NATO.

The two larger islands in the straits are connected with a tunnel and a bridge, Zealand and mainland Scandinavia too, Jutland and Fuen with two bridges. To close the straits for a shorter or longer term would be doable. If that happens what gets choked?

Given the above background, is there any significance in the following.

8. January at 00:45

Russian ships have been sailing around the Kattegat for over a day

Text by /ritzau/
For at least a day, two Russian ships have been circling in the middle of the waters of the Kattegat between Denmark and Sweden.

This is written by the Swedish media TV4.

The Swedish Coast Guard has informed the Danish authorities about the ships.

- We have informed the relevant authorities and those responsible for surveillance in Denmark, says Klas Loven, who heads the command center at the Swedish Coast Guard.

According to the Swedish Coast Guard, the ships are in Danish waters.

On radar images, you can see that the ships have been circling a small area in the Kattegat at least since Monday evening.

It is immediately unclear why the ships are in the water, writes TV4.

- They have been there for a while. I can't say it more precisely, says Klas Loven from the Swedish Coast Guard to TV4.

According to Ritzau, these are the two ships 'Sergey Balk' and 'SB-123'.

It is permitted for Russian ships to sail through Danish waters, but for a long time the focus has been on the activities of the Russian shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea and around Denmark.

For example, the Chinese ship 'Yi Peng 3', which was at anchor for several weeks in the Kattegat, as it had a suspicious route past cables that were soon found to be damaged.

Published on January 8 right after midnight and claiming they have sailed around for at least 24 hours it is remarkable that Donald Trump Jr visited Greenland on January 7! If the US goes to Greenland if not Svalbard, what will be the response?

 

[thorbiorn]

Comment to the discussion of early trauma

Regarding deep childhood trauma, I was wondering if NO sessions coupled with reading a book outloud to yourself like "Healing and Developmental Trauma" or another book on trauma and abuse in early childhood would be a useful tool in the toolkit. From what I understand, NO provides a mirror of your brain activity and shows your brain what it's doing can do a course correction so to speak and reading a book(s) like that might help the brain and body to release those early traumas, consciously or unconsciously. I don't remember where I read about the specific benefit of reading outloud to yourself - I think it may have been in Gurdjieff's work.

In Transcripts related to children, there is a post Feb 11, 2022 that mentions neurofeedback and reading. Here is a part of it,

"The following excerpt discusses the belief center, and the role beliefs play in our lives. It is a topic that potentially could influence the way we bring up children.
Session 10 February 2018
[...]

(Mikey) My question is along the same lines. In 1994 in one of the sessions, the C's said one can have only positive emotions if one chooses to. And then they brought in the connection with the belief center. I would like to know if it's useful to develop the belief center because they also said that most power necessary to alter our physicality and reality lies in the belief center. That sounds like something that's interesting. Is it something for us to work on? And how to do it? Is belief something that's true, or something that's an illusion?

(L) Didn't Joe ask something like that in a previous session?

(Joe) You have to get rid of all of your beliefs and then you can change reality if you don't have any limiting beliefs. You have to be completely open, and then you can maybe read from the information field or something. And then you might be able to change something.

(L) It's like getting rid of expectations or assumptions about how things are going to be.

(Joe) Because they're limiting, and you don't have the whole banana. It's just not how it works. People think they're going to change reality like by a light beam coming out of my head and I can change anything I want. But it seems to be more like a 2-way process where you engage with something else. You have to get in tune with something that already exists that's objectively real in order to manifest that potential for change. It's not like you can just dream up anything and make it happen. Right?

A: Yes

Q: (L) Well, they said the power for changing reality lies in the belief center of the mind. But then they also said something about emotions. Emotions that are limiting, and then emotions that help to progress... So, maybe the belief that one needs to cultivate - if any - is the belief in unlimited possibilities AND also in the benevolence of the universe and the process. Maybe that's what it is?

A: Yes yes yes!

Q: (Joe) The other phrase was that the one thing you have to do before transitioning to 4D is to think in completely unlimited terms. That doesn't mean you have to be able to think of everything that exists, but...

(L) You have to be open.

(Joe) Right, no expectations. That means getting rid of your hard and fast beliefs about things.

(L) And I think that comes back in a funny sort of way to this “Healing Developmental Trauma” book. One of the problems of early trauma is that children come to believe that the universe is not a safe place or it's scary. They just get completely wrong ideas which lead to thought errors. That's something that's preverbal…

(Pierre) And very limiting.

(L) And those are the kinds of things that probably the neurofeedback can fix more easily than anything else because those are things that produce certain brain waves that persist over time. There's no other way to get to them because you can't TALK your way through something that's preverbal! You can get into some kind of body therapy and spend years with a therapist, but why do that when you can just go directly and change the brain waves? And if you change brain waves, the brain's going to change. Right?

A: Yes yes yes!

Q: (Mikey) So, the trick is to get rid of the negative beliefs, and then find positive beliefs and everything should sort out, right?

(Artemis) No

(Joe) No, not positive beliefs.

(Andromeda) Beliefs are limiting.

(Joe) Any fixed, hard core beliefs. Think about all the books we’ve read. It's not that we're gathering information, but instead that we're discovering that all the things we thought we knew are wrong. Just the information in those books that you read that supplants the more limited beliefs, that gives you a broader perspective on things. But that's still not the whole truth. No matter how many books you read, you can never say, "I know this for sure!" So, the process of learning is about getting rid of stuff related to limiting beliefs.

(Pierre) What I understand from this discussion is that the healthy beliefs are the unlimiting beliefs, but...

(L) Why believe anything?

(Pierre) Yes; beliefs by definition ARE limiting. If you don't believe this, then you believe that. So, I guess unlimited beliefs is sort of a transcending of the very notion of belief. It's going beyond beliefs.

A: Become like little children...

Q: (Artemis) Inquisitive, but without bias or beliefs.

(L) And adventurous, open to experience, and not formed up with any beliefs. And one hopes that it's a little child that has not been developmentally traumatized! [laughter]

(Chu) I think it comes down to what the books say, really, which is that if you're in the present, you stop having the wrong beliefs. Instead of living in the past, you're in a state where you're curious again. So, it is a positive emotion in the end, but it's not the positive emotions as we normally understand them with all the wishful thinking that goes along with them.

(Andromeda) Right.

(Chu) It's like let's live life as an experiment, and...

(L) Like, "This is interesting to see what happens next..."

(Andromeda) But you still have the ability to feel negative emotions as a response to something that happens. Which would be proper.

(Pierre) A lot of PK events or paranormal events involve children. And children, compared to adults, have less of those limiting beliefs. Therefore, they can connect and experience a wider range of events.

(Artemis) So basically, neurofeedback plus reading will help people increase their receivership capability...

(L) If they apply what they read...

(Artemis) ...will help them become conduits for positive forces in the universe.

A: Yes

The above resonates with the following excerpt:
Session 9 September 1995

September 9, 1995 Frank, Laura, SV, Tom French, Cherie Diez This, too, ended up being a direct channeling session, but again, it seems to be rather good. In fact, it is one of the better informational sessions. Q: (L) Hello. A: Other. Q: (L) What do you mean by "other?" A: Re: discover...

A: Emotion that limits is an impediment to progress. Emotion is also necessary to make progress in 3rd density. It is natural. When you begin to separate limiting emotions based on assumptions from emotions that open one to unlimited possibilities, that means you are preparing for the next density.

It should be possible also for children to be helped by neurofeedback and reading. And children frequently like to have stories read to them, though it is not all genres and authors of children's literature that will be helpful for the development of a child, and children also have different interests and abilities."

 

[thorbiorn]

I think we will have to move the discussion of Greenland to a new thread, probably in Geopolitics. Maybe some posts from here could be moved.

 

[Seppo Ilmarinen]

Finnish police detained Russian linked oil tanker Eagle S last December due to suspicion of damaging the undersea EstLink cables in the Baltic Sea. This was boosted by media and political propaganda campaign, hinting that Russia was likely behind the sabotage.

Similar event happened month earlier during Nato Freezing Winds 24 exercise in the Baltic Sea, when C-Lion1 communication cable between Finland and Germany was broken, which was also blamed on Russia.

Soon after detaining the tanker there was anonymous sources telling media that there was spy equipments found inside Eagle S. This was followed by Nato meeting on December 30th, and the situation created convenient narrative for Nato to increase it's military presence in the Baltic Sea.

Now the story has unsurprisingly changed (as it served it's purpose) and Finnish officials are backing off from the earlier accusations. No spy equipments were found and they now seem think that whoever cut the cable, did it probably accidently!

President Stubb even commented that "in the end it's not important who did it" but instead to prevent it from happening again.

Right, it's not so important anymore to find the culprit, because we all know that it was Nato who "accidently" cut the cables, just like it blew up the NS2 pipeline!

 

[thorbiorn]

I think we will have to move the discussion of Greenland to a new thread, probably in Geopolitics. Maybe some posts from here could be moved.

See this thread: Greenland - a geopolitical space on the global chess board?

Now the story has unsurprisingly changed (as it served it's purpose) and Finnish officials are backing off from the earlier accusations. No spy equipments were found and they now seem think that whoever cut the cable, did it probably accidently!

President Stubb even commented that "in the end it's not important who did it" but instead to prevent it from happening again.

Maybe they also wish to not be too confrontational, like keeping the doors open. In connection with the Greenland issue, as posted in that thread, there were the news that the Danish PM visited Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Mark Rutte on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. (For some reason, the UK was not on her list, even if it has a navy and is closer to the North Atlantic than the central European countries.)

Here is the relevant excerpt:
28 Jan 2025, Aljazeera
Danish PM says received European backing against Trump’s Greenland push

[...]
Frederiksen visited three European capitals on Tuesday, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

“I have no reason to believe that there is a military threat to Greenland or Denmark,” Frederiksen told Danish media before a meeting with Rutte in Brussels on Tuesday.

Speaking alongside Macron in Paris earlier, the Danish prime minister told reporters that she had received “a great deal of support” from Europe.

Chancellor Scholz, who met with Frederiksen as well, emphasised that “borders must not be moved by force”. He also said that “the times we live in are challenging” and stressed the need for a strong Europe and NATO.

The Danish prime minister praised the consensus, stating, “This is a very, very clear message … that, of course, there must be respect for territory and the sovereignty of states.”

The meetings come on the heels of a Nordic summit over the weekend, where all leaders shared concerns about the situation, according to Frederiksen.

And today on January 30, there will be, according to a Russian language media, Gazeta.fi, situated in Finland, if translated to English:
HELSINKI TO HOST NORDIC DEFENSE MINISTERS SUMMIT

On Thursday, January 30, the defense ministers of the Nordic countries will gather in the Finnish capital. The distinguished guests will be received by the head of the Finnish Ministry of Defense Antti Häkkänen (koal).

In 2025, Finland became the chair of the Nordfeco military-political bloc, whose task is to cooperate with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in the field of defense.

The agenda of the second summit of this year includes discussion of topical issues and assistance to Ukraine. Ministers are expected to discuss Donald Trump's statements and actions on Greenland.

According to Minister Häkkänen, the role of Nordic cooperation in the field of defence will grow in the context of rapid changes in world politics.

There is also comments from Russia about the above meeting in this article, if you translate.

On the one hand the Nordic countries are US vassals, but sometimes even vassals have to discuss what to do. Greenland is only a beginning, next could be Svalbard which is a part of Norway.

 

[thorbiorn]

Without knowing if the following will become an issue, it is still interesting to observe what the fallout will be from the killing of a Quran burner in Stockholm.

We will see if this makes it to SOTT.net, but for now, there are a couple of developments:
31 Jan, 2025 15:37
EU country to allow police to wiretap children

Sweden is facing a surge in gang crime with juveniles being hired to carry out vandalism, bombings and murder

Sweden is set to fast-track legislation enabling police to use electronic surveillance on children under 15 following a spate of serious crimes committed by teens recruited by criminal gangs, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Thursday. The country has grappled with a surge in gang-related shootings and bombings in recent years.

In 2023, Sweden had one of the highest levels of deadly gun violence per capita in Europe, with internationally connected gangs increasingly recruiting children.

Kristersson said the government would push the legislation to enter into force “in the fall of 2025,” allowing police to access mobile phones and electronically wiretap children under the age of 15.

“It is quite obvious that we don’t have control over the wave of violence,” he told reporters.

Sweden has seen an unprecedented series of bombings, primarily in the Stockholm region, with more than 30 incidents this month alone. Most of the extortion cases were gang-related, targeting businesses and citizens, according to police officials. The January bombings have damaged buildings and caused injuries but no fatalities. In some areas of Stockholm, police have even instructed residents to stay indoors at certain times.

“During the month of January, there has been an average of one blast per day. This trend must of course be stopped,” said Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer.

According to police, many teenage contract killers are very young and are being recruited from abroad. Around 600 criminals targeting Sweden live abroad, police data shows.

“We see 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds carry out horrific violent assignments as if they were extra jobs. The assignments are communicated completely openly on digital marketplaces. Crime is often controlled by gang criminals who are abroad,” Sweden’s national police chief Petra Lundh said, as quoted by Politico.

Officials say that Sweden’s gang crime is highly organized and complex, with leaders operating from abroad through intermediaries who use encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram, Snapchat, and Signal to recruit teenagers under 15, the age of criminal responsibility.

Kristersson criticized social media platforms for failing to do enough to protect children. “If this is not done, we will use Swedish law against their ability to use the platforms in this way.”

Last year, Sweden’s parliament granted police the authority to establish so-called security zones, allowing searches in designated areas without a warrant or probable cause. The justice minister also announced that the government was imposing tougher sentences on youth offenders.

This comes the day after:
30 Jan, 2025 12:27
Quran burner shot dead in Sweden

The Iraqi refugee was killed in his apartment during a TikTok live stream

An Iraqi refugee known for publicly burning copies of the Quran, has been shot dead in his apartment in Sodertalje, Sweden, reportedly while making a live stream on social media, local news outlets have reported. The killing of Salwan Momika is said to have taken place on Wednesday, one day before he was scheduled to appear in court on hate speech charges.

Momika, a Syrian Catholic who came to Sweden in 2018, gained international attention by staging several Quran-burning demonstrations in the Nordic country, sparking protests in a number of Muslim-majority nations. His protests, which began in 2023, sparked diplomatic tension between Sweden and countries including Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan.

The Iraqi government had demanded his extradition, and Swedish authorities had begun deportation proceedings against him in 2023.

Wednesday’s attack reportedly occurred while the 38-year-old was live-streaming on Tiktok. Swedish police confirmed that they have arrested five people in connection with the killing but have not disclosed details about the suspects’ identities or motives. Investigators are said to be working to determine whether the shooting was politically or religiously motivated.

As noted by the media, Momika was supposed to appear before the court on Thursday for sentencing in a case on incitement against an ethnic group for staging four Quran burnings.
Russian court sentences Quran burner to 14 years in prison
“Since it has been confirmed that one of the defendants has died, the sentence must be adjusted to the fact that it is not possible to sentence a deceased person,” the Stockholm District Court has said.

Danish media reported he was shot in the head receiving multiple shots.

I don't know what the relation is to the push for legislation, but is it possible that the people who killed the Iraqi were below the criminal age with a bit of gun practice?
And behind the stage, is there an intention to increase tension and crime to justify more surveillance, leading to increased control of the whole population.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

"Solomonic solution": NATO which is under US command could be deployed to Greenland.

[...]
“Informal discussions” are underway at NATO to prepare a proposal for Trump involving a “major” troop deployment in the Arctic, unnamed sources told DPA on Friday. The goal is to “ease tensions” between the US and Denmark over Greenland by addressing Washington’s concerns, they added.

 

[Seppo Ilmarinen]

Finnish mainstream media has published news that a security police officer killed himself with a shot gun at president Stubb's official residence last year, and apparently Stubb and his family members were present when it happened:

A police officer died by suicide while working as a security guard at the temporary official residence of President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki, according to commercial broadcaster MTV.

The outlet reported on Friday that Stubb and his family were at the Munkkiniemi district residence that weekend in November, when an on-duty security guard shot himself with a shotgun in the building's basement. Other guards found the officer's body
Stubb was informed immediately about the matter, and met with staff at the Presidential Palace early the following week to discuss the incident.

Yle requested a comment from Stubb and the president's office, and received a reply by email.

"The security of the President of the Republic is ensured in all situations. The President's security guard detail is employed by the Helsinki Police Department. The Helsinki Police Department is responsible for communications concerning its personnel," the email stated.

Why the need to hide what happened if it was just a tragedy, and only now Stubb commented about on X because media got information of the case (because this week another high security clearance police officer killed himself at National Police Board's offices in Otaniemi, Espoo). Officers in this position are surely psychologically evaluated, thus less likely to commit suicide, and why would he end his life at president's basement/parking hall, if it was really a suicide? Well, let's see if there's any continue to this story, but it's unlikely that public will get any more information. Stubb is extremely creepy individual and possibly a psychopath, IMO, so I think this is highly suspicious.

edit: changed spelling

 

[thorbiorn]

In one Tweet commenting on a post from the MFA of Denmark celebrating the huge donations for Ukraine, there was this response:


2. 2 % of GDB! Is someone in the DK Government in on the depopulation agenda and helping it along? Or is it just that:
They are driven by forces they do not understand for the most part
Session 22 October 2022

(Glenn) Is the coalition of countries that Putin is forming around the Ukranian SMO, countries that support him, and the idea of freedom and self determination, causing much hand wringing among the PTB?

A: They are too deep in denial to wring hands.

Q: (Glenn) Is this [their hand wringing] behind a lot of their actions right now?

A: No. They are driven by forces they do not understand for the most part.

The size of the Danish support probably also reflects their lobby efforts and preparatory initiatives to get Sweden and Finland into NATO, though it might have happened anyway.

 

[XPan]

The Secret War Against Sweden



An interesting rumble video (1h 6 min) in English language - revolving around the US/UK PsyOps against Sweden, which ended Sweden's neutrality and the Destruction of Nord Stream.

With Ole Tunander, Professor Emeritus & Professor Glenn Diesen.

Ola Tunander: US/UK PsyOps Against Sweden, Ending Sweden's Neutrality & Destruction of Nord Stream

I discussed the book by Ola Tunander: "The Secret War Against Sweden", about how the US and UK inflated the perceived threat from Moscow with PsyOps to pull Sweden into the military bloc Follow me: Su

rumble.com

I discussed the book by Ola Tunander: "The Secret War Against Sweden", about how the US and UK inflated the perceived threat from Moscow with PsyOps to pull Sweden into the military bloc

Follow me:
Substack: Glenn Diesen’s Substack | Substack
X/Twitter: https://x.com/Glenn_Diesen
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/glenndiesen

 

[Jefferson]

Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Naval Collegium, weighs in on the situation regarding Finland, NATO expansion, and Russia’s strategic interests in the Baltic and Arctic regions. In a detailed interview with National Defense magazine, Patrushev outlines Russia’s perspective on growing military tensions in the Baltic, the security of underwater infrastructure, and Western plans to militarize the Arctic. He claims that NATO, under the influence of London and Washington, is deliberately escalating regional conflicts, practicing cyber sabotage against Russian maritime assets, and preparing for potential military provocations.

Regarding Finland, Patrushev argues that Helsinki’s alignment with NATO represents a betrayal of its historical neutrality and economic cooperation with Russia. He draws parallels between today’s geopolitical tensions and the Soviet-Finnish conflict of 1939–1940, asserting that Finland’s territory is once again being used as a platform for Western aggression against Russia. Furthermore, he highlights Russia’s military readiness in the region, emphasizing the modernization of the Baltic Fleet and the strategic positioning of Iskander-M missile systems in Kaliningrad.

In the Arctic, Patrushev stresses the significance of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a key economic and geopolitical corridor, reaffirming Russia’s commitment to its development. He condemns Western efforts to contest Russian dominance in the Arctic, arguing that Russia alone has historically maintained control over these territories. The interview underscores Russia’s extensive plans for Arctic resource extraction, shipbuilding, and defense infrastructure, positioning the region as a top national priority.

Below is a detailed summary of the key points:

Summary of the Interview with Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev​

Title: "Protect Russia's Interests in the Baltic and Arctic"
Date: March 13, 2025
Interviewer: Igor Korotchenko (National Defense Magazine)
Interviewee: Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Naval Collegium

---

1. Geopolitical Situation in the Baltic Region​

• Patrushev describes the Baltic region as a growing security concern due to NATO’s continued militarization and efforts to block Russia’s influence.
• He claims that NATO’s European wing is executing policies aimed at restricting Russia’s strategic movement, while London seeks to prevent U.S.-Russia reconciliation and Ukraine negotiations.
• The recent EU summit emphasized large-scale military buildup, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
• NATO is accused of practicing cyberattacks on Russian navigation systems, allegedly causing maritime accidents.
• Operation Baltic Sentinel, under NATO’s command, has led to an increase in maritime sabotage and threats to Russian port infrastructure and underwater pipelines.
• According to Russian intelligence, NATO is intensifying preparations for terrorist activities against Russian maritime assets, including pipelines, tankers, and cargo ships.

---

2. Security of Underwater Infrastructure​

• Patrushev stresses that recent attacks on underwater infrastructure, such as the ruptured telecommunications cable between Finland and Germany, highlight growing threats to Russian assets at sea.
• Russia is developing autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and monitoring systems to secure underwater pipelines.
• Technological advancements include the production of domestic pipe-laying vessels, equipment for diagnostics and repairs, and underwater robotic systems for surveillance and threat mitigation.
• Ensuring technological sovereignty in maritime security remains a strategic priority.

---

3. Finnish-Estonian Plans to Block Russia's Access to the Gulf of Finland​

• Patrushev refers to historic Russian military doctrine, emphasizing that Russia’s Baltic Fleet is fully prepared to counter any maritime blockade.
• The fleet’s combat training is being intensified, with exercises focusing on:
  • Countering underwater sabotage.
  • Defending sea communications.
  • Repelling UAV and drone attacks.
  • Detecting and neutralizing small surface threats.
• Russia continues to upgrade its Baltic Fleet, incorporating:
  • New-generation warships, including missile corvettes equipped with the Pantsir air defense system.
  • Frigates, corvettes, mine countermeasure ships, and hydrographic vessels.
  • Expansion of naval infrastructure to accommodate enhanced fleet operations.
• Russia warns that its Iskander-M missile systems in Kaliningrad can strike NATO military infrastructure in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

---

4. Finland’s Role in NATO and its Historical Context​

• Patrushev criticizes the Finnish government’s alignment with Western policies, arguing that Helsinki has abandoned its traditional neutrality under Anglo-Saxon influence.
• He accuses former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin of advancing anti-Russian policies, leading to economic decline in Finland, and being rewarded with a position at Tony Blair’s Institute for Global Change.
• Historically, Finland benefited from Soviet economic cooperation, particularly under the 1948 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance.
• He reminds that Finland was part of the Russian Empire for over a century and was granted broad autonomy, including the creation of the Grand Duchy of Finland and the revival of the Finnish language.

---

5. Soviet-Finnish War and Historical Parallels​

• Patrushev draws comparisons between today’s NATO-Finland alliance and Finland’s pre-WWII nationalist policies, which sought to create a “Greater Finland.”
• He argues that in 1939-1940, Finland’s military buildup near Leningrad and Kronstadt led to the Winter War, as the USSR sought to secure its borders.
• Today, he claims that Finland is once again being used as a staging ground for NATO’s potential aggression against Russia.

---

6. Finland’s Role in WWII and War Crimes​

• Patrushev recalls Finland’s alliance with Nazi Germany during WWII, noting that Finnish forces occupied Soviet Karelia for three years, committing atrocities against the Slavic population.
• He highlights the importance of the Karelian Front Museum, which details Soviet military efforts against Finnish-German forces.
• He notes that the Karelian Front’s standard is always carried first at the annual Victory Parade, signifying its historical importance.

---

7. Western Plans to Militarize the Arctic​

• The West is increasing its military presence in the Arctic due to competition over natural resources and new maritime transit routes.
• Russia maintains that the Arctic should remain a zone of peaceful cooperation, with shared economic and scientific projects.
• Russia is actively developing hydrocarbon extraction projects in the Arctic, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.

---

8. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) and Russia’s Arctic Strategy​

• 2025 marks 500 years since Russian diplomat Dmitry Gerasimov proposed using the northern seas as Russia’s primary transport corridor.
• Patrushev chairs the Organizing Committee overseeing this historical milestone.
• He asserts that the Arctic is inseparable from Russia and that the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is a national priority.
• Russia has a long history of Arctic exploration, dating back to:
  • The Pomors who navigated the Arctic.
  • The Great Northern Expedition in the 18th century.
  • Soviet Arctic explorations by Schmidt and Vize.
  • Modern research by Arctic explorer Artur Chilingarov.

---

9. Expansion of the Northern Sea Route (NSR)​

• Russia is investing heavilyin NSR infrastructure to:
  • Expand Arctic ports and terminals for efficient cargo transshipment.
  • Improve transport security for national economic growth.
  • Enhance connectivity between Russia’s North-West and Far East regions.
  • Develop new icebreakers and Arctic-class vessels to facilitate year-round navigation.

---

10. Development of Russian Shipbuilding​

• Patrushev underscores the importance of shipbuilding to Russia’s Arctic strategy.
• Plans include:
  • Building nuclear-powered icebreakers and Arctic-class ships.
  • Expanding rescue and auxiliary fleets for Arctic operations.
  • Creating the National Research Center for Shipbuilding, modeled after Russia’s top scientific institutes in nuclear energy and aviation.
• He highlights the ice-resistant "North Pole" research platform, which allows for unique Arctic studies.

---

Key Takeaways from the Interview​

1. Russia views NATO’s military activities in the Baltic and Arctic as direct threats to its national security.
2. The Kremlin accuses NATO of cyber sabotage and maritime subversion against Russian assets.
3. The Baltic Fleet is being modernized and heavily armed to counter potential NATO threats.
4. Finland’s NATO membership is framed as a betrayal of historical Russian-Finnish cooperation.
5. The Arctic is a strategic priority, and Russia will assert its dominance over the Northern Sea Route.
6. Russia is advancing shipbuilding capabilities to secure Arctic transit routes and resource extraction.

---

Conclusion​

Patrushev presents Russia’s Baltic and Arctic policies as defensive measures against NATO expansion. He emphasizes military preparedness, historical grievances, and strategic economic projects, particularly the Northern Sea Route and Arctic resource development. His statements reinforce Russia’s narrative of being under Western siege, justifying continued military buildup in these strategic regions.