Abstract
The neutrality of Finland: appearances and reality, by Max Jakobson The new type of relationship between Finland and the Soviet Union grew out of the experiences and consequences of the Second World War. Although defeated, Finland was not occupied; it remained an independent state and was thus able to keep outside of the two "blocs". The solution for Finland was in finding a security policy capable of satisfying the Soviet need of security in this European zone. The 1948 Treaty reconciled Finland's desire for neutrality with the Soviet concern for security. Since then, stability is the watchword for Finnish-Soviet political and trade relations. For the West, the term "Finlandization" implies a limited Finnish independence and expresses the impossibility of a confrontation between Finland and Moscow. In fact, Finnish policy is designed to avoid antagonizing any power whatsoever; and the USSR considers the present status of Finland as part of the status quo, outcome of the last war, the maintaining of which has been the main objective of Soviet European policy from Yalta to Helsinki. Finnish policy since the war can be summarised as follows: reconciliation and cooperation with the USSR, neutrality in international affairs, membership in the Scandinavian community, economic integration in the free-trade system and participation in peace efforts and international security through the United Nations.
Published Version
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