By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a recent opinion piece published in Russian media, Dmitry Medvedev accused Finland of preparing for war with Russia. Medvedev specifically cited Finland’s NATO membership, the establishment of a NATO command center near the Russian border, and recent NATO exercises as evidence of a confrontational stance. Both Russia and Finland have been increasing their border fortifications, with Russia responding to Finland’s actions by also bolstering its border defenses. Finland joined NATO in 2023 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Finland’s efforts to fortify its border, according to the words of Dmitry Medvedev, are not a defensive measure, but a precursor to an invasion of Russia. Now, that’s quite a statement, isn’t it? Especially coming from someone who’s track record suggests a rather flexible relationship with the truth. It’s almost as if he’s throwing out a preposterous idea just to see what sticks, and in this case, it’s landed with a resounding thud.
The inherent absurdity of the accusation is immediately apparent. Finland, a country known for its stoic resilience and practical approach to international relations, is somehow planning to invade Russia? It’s difficult to take that seriously, even for a moment. The more plausible scenario? Finland is simply responding to the obvious threats emanating from its aggressive neighbor. They’re doing what any reasonable country would do: preparing to defend themselves against a potential threat.
It’s quite telling when the accuser is the one with the history of aggressive actions. As one person stated, “Every accusation is a confession.” This particular accusation seems to be less about a real threat and more about projecting Russia’s own intentions. After all, the world has witnessed Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the rhetoric used to justify that invasion. It makes you wonder if this is just a foreshadowing of something they’re actually planning themselves.
Medvedev’s words are likely carefully chosen, even if they sound outlandish. He is, after all, a mouthpiece for Putin. His statements, no matter how absurd, often serve a larger purpose. They’re designed to manipulate public opinion, both domestically and internationally. They can be an attempt to sow discord, create a sense of victimhood, or, quite simply, test the waters to see how the world reacts to increasingly provocative statements.
The timing of these comments is also worth considering. With Finland’s recent entry into NATO, the stakes have been raised significantly. Russia has long viewed NATO expansion with suspicion, and this may be the excuse the Kremlin needed to stir up some trouble. Perhaps it’s an attempt to justify future aggression or to intimidate Finland into changing its policies. Or, as suggested by someone who followed the developments, maybe it’s about Putin attempting to poke NATO’s red lines to gauge the response.
The international reaction has largely been one of disbelief. People aren’t buying this propaganda. The idea of Finland invading Russia is a laughable one. Anyone who understands the history and geopolitical realities of the region knows this is a ludicrous claim. In fact, a common sentiment is, “Why would anyone invade Russia?” and if they did, the absolute worst outcome is that they end up gaining land in Russia. This sentiment goes hand in hand with the idea that Finland is more than capable of defending itself. They have a history of standing up to Russia.
This whole episode highlights the ongoing information war. Russia consistently attempts to frame itself as the victim, even when it is the aggressor. It’s a tried-and-true tactic: deflect blame, create confusion, and use propaganda to achieve strategic goals. It’s a game of smoke and mirrors, designed to obscure the truth and manipulate the narrative.
The response from those who are well-informed should be swift and decisive. Rejecting the narrative and highlighting the absurdity of the accusation. Those in NATO also need to present a united front, reinforcing their commitment to Finland’s security. It’s vital to make it clear that any attempt to undermine Finland or challenge its sovereignty will not be tolerated.
Let’s be clear: Finland is not planning to invade Russia. It is defending itself. It’s preparing for the worst, as any sensible nation would, given the current climate. And the world needs to recognize this and call out the blatant lies when they are thrown out there, like this latest one from Dmitry Medvedev.