ERKKI BAHOVSKI ⟩ A military mindset returns to Europe

Erkki Bahovski. Photo: Eero Vabamägi

• The war has presented a new challenge to the European Union.
• It must be possible to switch from peacetime to a military footing when needed.
• Finland has valuable experience to share with Europe.

Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election has overshadowed all other events. One such event, occurring shortly before the election, was the release of a report on the broad-based defense of the European Union, led by former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö, opinion editor Erkki Bahovski writes.

The 165-page report is worth reading alongside a report on the EU economy by former Italian prime minister and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. However, the difference is, of course, that while the EU is an economic organization—making Draghi's recommendations relevant—the EU was never designed to be a military organization.

However, the full-scale war in Ukraine has understandably changed the context, presenting clear challenges for the European Union. What lessons can we now take from Niinistö's report?

Firstly, the report suggests that both EU officials and ordinary citizens should start thinking more about war. This recommendation is simple on paper, but in reality, things are more complex—after all, several generations have grown up in Western Europe as if in a bubble, where discussions about military spending were often viewed as kowtowing to America. At the same time, I would not criticize them too harshly—what normal person would not want to live in peace and in a world where the future feels secure?

Essentially, Finland’s mindset needs to be applied across the European Union.

The second message will be familiar to those who grew up during Soviet times – the EU must pay more attention to dual-purpose facilities, which can be easily switched from peacetime to military use. To put it simply, certain items, buildings, and the like can be used both in peace and war, although their function shifts. For example, the Soviet-era ferry to Muhu Island could carry four T-72 tanks or six BTRs; in peacetime, it could accommodate more cars. Not to mention the shelters that had to be maintained as part of civil defense.

It is probably no coincidence that the report's author is Sauli Niinistö, who comes from a country with long experience in such military thinking. Finland has maintained its shelters, kept conscription after the Cold War, and, above all, has about 1,300 kilometers of shared border with Russia. Essentially, Finland's mindset needs to be applied across the European Union.

Estonia may claim that we did not let our guard down, being situated next to Russia, yet we did abandon our shelters. Understandably, Soviet-era civil defense felt like an outdated burden, but now it is clear that civil defense needs to be reinstated in some form.