The creation of an additional headquarters for NATO ground forces has begun in the city of Mikkeli in Finland, the Iltalehti newspaper reported, citing sources in the field of foreign affairs and security policy, UNN reports. Mikkeli is located about 140 km from the border with Russia.
Details
According to the newspaper, NATO's headquarters in Mikkel will operate under the direction of the headquarters in Norfolk on the East Coast of the United States. In peacetime, the headquarters will plan NATO training activities in the region.
Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said that the creation of the headquarters was initiated on behalf of the commander of the Norwegian Defense Forces. According to the minister, the Norwegian military is in favor of the Nordic countries being under Norfolk's leadership in the new NATO structure.
According to Iltalehti's NATO sources, about 375 officers from allied countries, including 25 Finnish, will arrive in Norfolk. They will lead the ground forces operations and prepare to manage the Swedish and Finnish military forces if necessary.
Context
Finland joined NATO on April 4, 2023. Sweden officially became NATO's 31st member on March 7. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Finland, by its decision to join NATO, had destroyed its ideal relationship with Russia. He said that now Russian troops and defeat systems will appear on the border with this country.