Increased Russian propaganda and sharpened rhetoric towards Finland have not surprised the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF), General Timo Kivinen. […]
Finland is currently negotiating a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), with the United States, Nato’s most important member. Sweden has also opened similar negotiations with the US. Denmark is also negotiating and Norway has an agreement already in place. Kivinen clarified why a separate bilateral agreement with the US is necessary for Finland, despite being a member of a Nato.
”What Nato members do with each other also strengthens Nato’s collective deterrence and defence capabilities. It would be very strange if, now that we are allies, cooperation with allied countries did not deepen,” Kivinen replies.
According to Kivinen, the agreement allows for deeper military cooperation.
”In normal circumstances and also in a crisis situation, should one arise,” Kivinen pointed out. The United States is likely to have access to one port and one airport in Finland, should the need arise.
”Since the spring of 2020, a US unit has been deployed in Finland almost every week, with the longest deployment lasting more than two months. Any such exercise under the current model, where there is no treaty, would be prohibitively expensive,” Kivinen said.
According to Kivinen, the DCA agreement will help in the future with the practical organisation of US exercises in Finland. Läs intervjun