Europe being Finlandized via Germany and France?

[Pekka]

LOTM, well duh, I was only explaining the reasons why they would oppose any such measures to be taken.

This is nothing new though. It's not like there hasn't been similar rhetorics before. It's just their way of communication. They want something. They know they can't stop the defense to being built, but they just want some deal now or something. It always starts like this.

[DinoDoc]

Why are you making Russia feel bad, Pekka?

[Pekka]

We're not making them feel bad, we're one of the best neighbours they have. We do a lot of business. We always play to both ends officially. Gets the best results, not having too much resources yourself.

It never changed, we want to do business, there's lots of opportunities in Russia for us. We have a lot of experience doing business there, and continue to exploit that situation.

I don't think a lot of people hate Russia here, like really really hate, but there's definitely a lot of russophobia. A lot. As in, can't be never trusted, better be ready. That is still how we do things in the army, in case they invade. Everything is mentally set to that. I remember we had to make sure the door of the tent was ALWAYS facing to the west, so there would be no light towards the east, where the enemy comes. Stuff like that. Just everything you know, I think the reason we have an army is because of the past, because we would have downsized it to two dudes with laptops if this wasn't the case.

[DinoDoc]

We always play to both ends officially. Gets the best results, not having too much resources yourself.

So you're really just a nation of sluts?

[Pekka]

I prefer nation of smart players We play for our own team. We just use everyone in the process. Uhmm, are you trying to say there's a place where this isn't the case?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Pekka
I prefer nation of smart players

Ah! Pre-crazy Ted Striker must have been the ultimate Finn.

[Pekka]

But it's not like cheating, just playing for yourself. You know, we're not a big country. We don't have influence or power plays. We don't like anyone that much. We like to keep to ourselves.

I mean, why do you think Russia isn't complaining to us about being close partners with NATO, gear being NATO compatible. We just held the largest NATO airforce joint exercize in the recent history in here, and our jets participated as well. We have our liasons in NATO tables, as well as in the inner circle of Iraq tables for liasons, for example where the French couldn't get. Why? It's not like we sent any troops there. There was a documentary about this, ti was quite funny. The few officer liasons there just kind of had good game, talked good game, and were invited to join the meetings where they discuss strategy etc. They don't actually say anything, just listen, for free. They got it so mixed up, that they accidentally put our flag to the coalition of the willing banner. When the officers noticed it, they said they just stayed quiet. Why intervene on such mistake? It's not like its true, but let's just ride the mistake. And ultimately they were let in, because other liasons from other countries would always fill them in anyway. They have lots of friends, and like the saying goes, if you aren't big and powerful, you need powerful friends.

I mean, why not? You need military intel. You need to stay on top of things. So why aren't we getting blamed for it? Because of good diplomacy. If you can't project any force outside your borders, you need to talk good game. I don't see this being wrong, I see it being smart.