Tuomas Forsberg: Finland and the Baltic Sea – Geopolitics, Identity, and Security

With a border with Russia that stretches the length of the country and deep historical ties across the Baltic Sea, Finland occupies a distinctive position in Northern Europe – at once a Nordic nation and a Baltic rim state. Tuomas Forsberg, Professor of International Relations at Tampere University, traces Finland’s Baltic Sea policy from the Cold War through the post-Soviet era to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He reflects on Finlandization, Nordic identity, relations with Russia, and the seismic decision to join NATO in 2022. The interview was conducted by Jack Dickens, Commissioning Editor at Engelsberg Ideas, and recorded in November 2025 during the seminar The Baltic Sea – A Geopolitical History. See also Axess Television's website: https://www.axesstelevision.com/ Axess Television on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axesstelevision/ Axess Television on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axesstelevision