The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported the information.
Analysts note that the language Medvedev used fully mirrors the Kremlin’s rhetoric, which Russia employed to justify its aggressive actions against Ukraine in 2014 and 2022.
Medvedev accused Finland of “ties with Nazi Germany,” of attempting in the 1940s to expand its borders at the expense of territories belonging to modern Russia, and of trying to “erase the historical and cultural identity of ethnic Russians and to commit genocide against the Slavic population.” He also claimed that the current Finnish government is “Russophobic” and that the country’s entry into NATO is preparation for war against Russia.
ISW emphasizes that Medvedev used the term “root causes” for the current problems in relations between Russia and Finland — a phrase that the Kremlin regularly applies when justifying its war against Ukraine. Similar statements have already been voiced by other Russian officials. In March of this year, Nikolai Patrushev accused Finland of attempting to “exterminate the Slavic population,” and in December 2023, Vladimir Putin threatened that Finland would “have problems” because of joining NATO.
According to analysts, Medvedev’s threats are not isolated, but are part of the Kremlin’s broader efforts aimed at intimidating NATO states and creating informational groundwork for potential aggression against them.
Deputy head of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev declared that Finland is allegedly creating a staging ground for an attack on Russia, pursuing a course aimed at preparing for war.