Crisis management The will of the Ukrainians to defend is strong, says a Finnish border colonel in Mariupol: “It takes quite a lot of work to break it down”

“Ukraine of course we are. It must be that we are here to support them, ”he says Antti Hartikainen on the telephone.

Hartikainen is calling from Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine, twenty kilometers from the so-called hotline, on the other side of which are the Russians and the troops they support.

Hartikainen is a former Colonel in the Border Guard who is leading the European Union’s civilian crisis management operation EUAM Ukraine in Ukraine. The mission is to assist Ukraine in reforming its civilian security authorities.

“It’s quiet here. The only thing you will notice is that the hotel is more crowded. It may be that there are representatives of the media, and there are probably a bit more security authorities on the move, which is, of course, quite natural, ”says Hartikainen.

“The tense situation is not reflected in the street scene in any way. There are no more military vehicles or troop transfers than normal. ”

Hartikainen says he visited the local armed forces headquarters, where he was presented with a snapshot, and met a police commander in the Donetsk region under the control of the Ukrainian government.

“He also said that the situation is under control and calm.”

Hartikainen describes Mariupol as an administratively special place.

The contact line divides the Donetsk region. The administrative center of the region, the large city of Donetsk itself, has remained on the Russian-controlled side of the hotline. However, most of the Ukrainian authorities there have been transferred to Mariupol.

“The police in the Donetsk region, for example, are here. Most of the regional authorities operate from Mariupol. ”

The civilian crisis management operation led by Hartikainen advises the civilian security authorities of Ukraine.

“In practice, it means advising on the development and implementation of strategies and different concepts. In connection with the implementation, trainings will be provided, various study tours and seminars will be organized. We also have the opportunity to donate some equipment and equipment. ”

In Ukraine there are enough safety authorities.

These include the SBU, the police, the State Investigation Agency for the Criminal Investigation of Civil Servants and Politicians, the Border Guard Service, Customs, the Prosecution Service, the National Guard and the Financial Security Agency.

Virtually all internal security authorities and partners, such as the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the presidential administration, are partners.

The work field is huge. There are 130,000 people employed by the police alone, 60,000 by the National Guard and almost 40,000 by the Border Guard.

“The country is big, but I think quite a few of these organizations are oversized. Modernization of operating methods would enable a rather significant reduction in personnel, ”Hartikainen estimates.

Hartikainen the operation led by it has about 340 employees. As many as 19 of them are Finns.

The majority of the staff are security experts such as police officers, lawyers and border guards. Some are recruited directly for the operation, some are on the payroll of the sending country.

One of the four field offices of the EU operation is in Mariupol, where Hartikainen will meet with local partners.

“That’s why I’m here. This is also a bit of a mental support for the people at the field office to see that we are taking care of them. I discussed this situation with them. I told them what I know and listened to what they had in mind. ”

Hartikainen says that he tried to reassure his people so that there would be no panic.

“It’s definitely an exciting situation for everyone to be pretty close to the hotline as the international media is constantly grinding the news. Not everyone is used to the fact that there can be such threats. For some, it can be a tough place. ”

One Hartikainen’s most important task has been to make the reform of the SBU of the Security Service of Ukraine, ie the reform, a key project in the operation.

“In my view, the reforms of other law enforcement agencies cannot be fully successful and very effective if the security services reform is not completed first. It is absolutely necessary. It is the mother of all reforms in the security sector, ”says Hartikainen.

The SBU is a direct heir to the Soviet-era KGB in Ukraine, and the long tail of the infamous security service has still not been released.

Efforts have been made to reduce the number of employees in the SBU, but there are still 27,000 people working there. Tentacles extend almost everywhere in Ukrainian society.

The confusing role is illustrated by the fact that the security service also has criminal investigations and also has military functions.

“Our idea in the reform is to make it a counter-intelligence authority with the same tasks as the security police in Finland: to prevent and expose intelligence against Ukraine and terrorist crimes,” Hartikainen says.

Hartikainen is assisted in his work by, among other things, the former deputy chief of the security police.

“We would also like to remove the military elements, i.e. demilitarize the organization, but now it seems that they will not agree to it as long as the crisis is on. It must be remembered that Ukraine is at war. That is a difficult question for them. ”

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“If a military operation came here, there would certainly be resistance. They will not give up. ”

Of the Russians fear of attacking Ukraine in the coming weeks. What is the will of the Ukrainians to defend their country?

“I think the will to defend the country and the feeling of nationalism are quite strong. The Ukrainians involved in our operation are making it very clear. It takes quite a lot of work to make it break, ”Hartikainen answers.

“If a military operation came here, there would certainly be resistance. They will not give up. ”

The EU civilian crisis management operation also involves Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their homeland in the Russian-occupied territory.

“They certainly have quite a few antipathies against the Russians. It seems to be forced when you have lost your homeland and property and your relatives may be on the other side. ”

Ukraine is now forced to convey such an image to the outside world that there is no great threat on it, Hartikainen reminds. The country’s economy will suffer if money starts to escape the country and investment comes to a halt – not to mention people starting to hoard food and fuel.

“Panic strikes really suddenly.”

Hartikainen has previously held EU positions in Ukraine. He began his studies in Russian, the country’s second major language, as early as the 1980s at the Cadet School.

Has there been a love affair for Ukraine?

“I have to admit that it is. I am in no hurry to leave Ukraine. I have a great time. I like culture and food, the service plays, the people are friendly, and Kiev is a really interesting city, ”says Hartikainen.

However, he admits that working in Ukraine is also a “terrible mad mill”.

“Yes, there is a bit of a tear in every direction. There’s a lot to do. ”