THE APPROACH OF FINLAND TO RUSSIAN OCCUPATION OF UKRAINE: SECURITISATION OF THE PUTIN REGIME / Rusya’nın Ukrayna’yı İşgaline Finlandiya’nın Yaklaşımı: Putin Rejiminin Güvenlikleştirilmesi

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explain the approach of Finland to Russian occupation of Ukraine. Finnish foreign policy implemented between February 24 when Ukraine-Russia War began, and June 30, is analysed by using securitisation theory developed by the Copenhagen School. This study argues that Finland securitised the Putin regime. As a consequence of securitisation analysis, the article reached five results. First, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President Sauli Niinistö see Russia under the Putin government as a military threat. Second, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President Sauli Niinistö want to make Finland a member of NATO to strengthen defence capabilities of the country against Russia. Third, Finland securitised the Putin regime. Fourth, as a member of the European Union, Finland has collectively imposed EU sanctions on Russia, President Vladimir Putin and his close partners. Fifth, 84 per cent of Finns identified Russia as a significant military threat. By applying for NATO membership, Finland abandoned the policy of military neutrality that it has been implementing since the 20th century.