Putin dreams of capturing Finland, but is afraid: historian reveals the main fears of the Kremlin
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru May 24 – IA SM.News. British military historian Anthony Beevor, while in Helsinki at the Helsinki Lit literary festival, gave an interview to the Finnish publication Ilta-Sanomat. According to him, the President of Russia would be very pleased to include Finland in his country, but there are two key obstacles to this desire.
Historical memory and Finnish defense
Beevor reminded how during the Soviet-Finnish War (1939–1940), the country demonstrated an impressive ability to resist, despite the enormous numerical superiority of the enemy. The second restraining factor is the modern level of Finland's defense capability, which, according to the historian, is now ready to fight even harder. “Putin would certainly be pleased to capture Finland. But you have already shown once how capable you are of fighting against the Soviet Union. And now, you would probably fight even harder,” said the British historian.
What else, according to Beevor, hinders Putin
In addition to Finnish resilience and defensive power, the historian also mentions internal problems within the Russian army. According to him, corruption and abuse of soldiers thrive in the Russian armed forces, which also reduces the potential for any major military adventures against a well-prepared country like Finland.
Empire, not the USSR
Beevor categorically rejected the opinion that the current leadership of Russia seeks to recreate the Soviet Union. “Putin is not trying to restore the Soviet Union,” the historian emphasized. “He is trying to restore the Russian Empire.” According to him, the ideological foundation of the Kremlin is more aligned with the concepts of the Russian White emigration that left the country after the 1917 revolution. This refers to the model of the “strong tsar” and the special role of Russia across the entire Eurasian space. The historian also included the Baltic states and other regions that were previously part of Tsarist Russia in the list of potential interests.
Can a new Rasputin emerge in Putin's circle?
In response to a journalist's question about the possible emergence of a figure similar to Grigori Rasputin around Putin, Beevor was brief: Putin is a “narcissist who listens to no one,” so in his opinion, this is unlikely. At the same time, the historian admits that no one can know for sure whether the Russian president truly believes in these imperial ideas or merely uses them as part of propaganda.
More news on the event:
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.12:24 24.05.2026 Kazan.Sm.News - Kazan
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.12:24 24.05.2026 Kazan.Sm.News - Kazan
News from neighboring regions on the topic:
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.13:59 24.05.2026 Izhevsk.Sm.News - Izhevsk
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.15:11 24.05.2026 Ufa.Sm.News - Ufa
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.14:59 24.05.2026 Ekb.Sm.News - Yekaterinburg
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.14:59 24.05.2026 Ekb.Sm.News - Yekaterinburg
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.12:55 24.05.2026 Kaluga.Sm.News - Kaluga
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.12:21 24.05.2026 Ryazan.Sm.News - Ryazan
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.12:21 24.05.2026 Ryazan.Sm.News - Ryazan
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.16:00 24.05.2026 Kemerovo.Sm.News - Kemerovo
Putin dreams of capturing Finland but is afraid: historian reveals the Kremlin's main fears
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation kremlin.ru
May 24 – IA SM.News.16:00 24.05.2026 Kemerovo.Sm.News - Kemerovo
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