Russian attack “Russia has used to attack the weaker ones” – Ukrainians in Lviv share their views on Finland’s possible NATO membership

Abroad|The Russian attack

Lviv

In Finland and Ukraine has many similarities in terms of history and geography. Both have a long common border with Russia, both have been under Russian control, have fought against the Russians and neither is a member of the military alliance NATO.

In Lviv, HS asked the townspeople what they thought of the situation. Ukraine will not become a member of NATO due to the war, at least in the foreseeable future, but the situation in Finland may be different if it is decided to apply for membership.

At least support for NATO membership has increased in Finland at an unprecedented rate since the Russian invasion. HS: n according to an opinion poll 48 percent of Finns support membership and 27 percent oppose it. In a study previously commissioned by Yle, NATO support was 53 percent.

From Kharkov a 21-year-old who escaped the war Dmytro Cherniaiev wonders for a long time whether he would recommend NATO membership to Finland.

“The question is difficult. Putin is so crazy I don’t know how he would react. I am afraid of World War III, and I just hope for peace for everyone, ”says Cherniaiev.

His friend, escaped from Mariupol Alexander Gubenko28, recalls the wars between Finland and the Soviet Union.

“You should do as you see fit. The biggest enemy is fear, ”Gubenko says.

28 years old Yelena Makaschenko estimates that Finns should join if their citizens feel insecure about Russia ‘s neighbor.

“Allies are needed to oppose a strong enemy like Russia. Putin could be so crazy that he could attack Finland as well. In Russia, when it has been customary to attack the weaker ones. ”

In Lviv lived all his life Sergii Arovna, 66, recalls that joining NATO is a matter for each country alone. He deplores the fact that Russian society never had time to develop into a state that values ​​democracy. Tyranny next door is dangerous, Arovna ponders.

“Maybe we should change our neighbors,” Arovna jokes.

Fleeing Kiev Alexander Lisnichenko38, there is a clear opinion on the matter: Finland should join NATO “as soon as possible”.

“Russia’s reaction to Finland’s NATO membership could be strong, but with it, Finland would still be safe. Putin could very well be so bad that he could attack Finland without NATO security. After all, the Russians are now even attacking our nuclear power plant. ”

71-year-old from Lviv Zinaida does not believe that Putin’s Russia threatened Finland.

“Russia is interested in Ukraine and Georgia. I don’t think Finland is in danger, ”he says.