04.09.2025, Helsinki.
By declaring Finland’s “victory” over the USSR in 1944, Finnish President Alexander Stubb effectively proclaimed the modern state the successor of the Finland that was allied with Hitler, Rossa Primavera News Agency‘s Europe Desk wrote on September 4.
In an interview with The Economist, Stubb stated that Finland “won” the war with the USSR in 1944 because it managed to preserve its independence. “We still feel we won, because we retained our independence,” the politician noted.
By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Finland had become an ally of Nazi Germany. From June 22, 1941, the Luftwaffe used its airfields, and about 400,000 German troops were stationed on its territory.
When Soviet aviation began striking Finnish airfields hosting Luftwaffe forces, Finland declared itself a victim of aggression and on June 26 announced that it was at war with the USSR.
Finnish forces helped encircle Leningrad, occupied Karelia and Leningrad Region. The Slavic population of occupied towns and villages was driven into concentration camps, while the cities themselves were intended to become part of “Greater Finland” (organization banned in Russia).
In 1944, the Red Army launched several successful operations against the Finnish army, pushing it to the brink of collapse. Finnish President Risto Ryti, who had personally promised Nazi German leaders that as long as he remained in office Helsinki would not negotiate peace with Moscow, resigned on August 4, 1944. He was replaced by Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, who was not bound by such a promise.
By late September, the Moscow Armistice was signed. Finland withdrew from the war, pledged to begin hostilities against Nazi Germany’s forces remaining on its territory, dissolve all fascist organizations, and pay reparations. Finland also agreed to cede part of its territory, including the strategic northern section of the Karelian Isthmus.
These historical facts demonstrate that Stubb’s statement is false, since it is impossible to call the loss of 10% of territory and the payment of reparations a “victory.” The Soviet Union never intended to conquer Finland.
It is also worth noting that Stubb conveniently remained silent about the fact that Finland at that time was not only at war with the USSR, but also with the UK. Should one then understand that Helsinki “defeated” not only Moscow, but London as well?
However, this statement by the politician is valuable in that it reveals Stubb’s position: he considers modern Finland the successor of the fascist regime of the early 1940s, which was allied with Hitler.
Only one question remains: why do the Finns not go all the way, and instead shyly chose to phase out swastikas from the flags of their Air Force?
