The overwhelming majority of Finnish officers would like Ukraine to be able to use long-range weapons provided by Western nations within Russian territory, as indicated by a survey conducted by the Finnish Officers’ Union.
MTV News investigated the views of professional soldiers on arms aid to Ukraine in connection with a survey of the Finnish Officers’ Union members.
The survey was also conducted among members of the Reserve Officers’ Union. The results were very similar.
Even The Hornets Could Be Handed Over
Finnish military support for Ukraine receives the support of officers. More than 67 per cent of respondents considered the support to be sufficient. More than 28 per cent of respondents would be ready to increase military aid.
One respondent would even be ready to give Ukraine Finland’s retreating fighter jets.
“Europe is being defended in Ukraine. We are the only country in Europe with military equipment for mass warfare. The longer the war in Ukraine lasts, the longer Russia’s rise will last. So, the conclusion from this is that as much support as possible should be given to Ukraine and immediately. The Hornets could also be given up,” he commented.
Many emphasise that donations must not endanger Finland’s own defence capabilities.
“Finland has given more than its share of aid to Ukraine, considering that we are a frontline country in relation to Russia,” one respondent argues.
Support Removed From The Finnish Defence Budget
If support for Ukraine continues for a long time, almost 91 per cent of officers would like to remove support for Ukraine from the Finnish defence budget and pay for the aid from somewhere else in the state budget.
The justifications show concern that support for Ukraine would gnaw away resources from developing their own country’s defence.
As many as 91 per cent of respondents completely or somewhat agree that Ukraine should be allowed to use long-range weapons received from Western countries also against targets located deep in Russia.
NATO Missions Should Be Based On Voluntariness
Almost 73 per cent of those who responded to the survey completely or somewhat agree that NATO missions should be based on voluntariness—even with regard to assistance missions under Article 5.
The terms of NATO missions are currently being prepared, which may have influenced the answers given to the officers’ lobby organisation. Until now, officers’ foreign missions have been based on voluntariness.
About 1,500 of the approximately 6,500 members of the officers’ union responded to the survey.
Source: MTV uutiset (in Finnish)