Finland joined NATO early 2023 after ditching its longstanding neutral stance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said that in the current geopolitical environment, the North Atlantic Alliance is returning to its original mission, for which it was created, to deter and defend against threats from the East,

NATO will set up a new land command in Finland near the Russian border next year, Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said on Friday.

His statement echoes Western concern of Russia possibly initiating a full-scale conflict in Europe within next years. "I am convinced that we are now witnessing the formation of 'NATO 3.0.'," he said.

NATO is turning its attention back to its main job of deterring and defending against threats from Russia, said Finnish President Alexander Stubb. After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte,