In late 2015 and early 2016, Finland saw a wave of migrants seeking asylum crossing the Russian border, most of them from third countries. Finnish officials saw the hand of Moscow, which repeatedly directed immigrants to European countries in an apparent attempt to destabilize their politics.
Finland’s foreign minister, Timo Soini, told state television at the time: “The impression that someone is organizing and organizing things on the Russian side is probably correct.” “It is quite clear that an activity like this is a managed effort.”
The Finns were caught by surprise. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that we would have, say, Bangladeshis coming by bicycle to a high altitude northern border crossing when the sun doesn’t shine at all and the temperature is minus 20-25 degrees Celsius,” Mr Pitcnetti said, or minus 4 to Minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit.
Despite this experience, Mr. Pitcnetti said he and his colleagues maintain cordial and professional relations with their Russian counterparts across the border. He said the two sides communicate regularly.
“When we talk to the Russians we try to avoid politics,” Mr. Pitcnetti said. “There is no point in arguing. You end up in a conflict that does not allow for solutions.”
For years, he said, acceptable topics of conversation with Russians included hunting, fishing, and sports. “We now have to exclude the sport, because it is no longer involved in international sports,” said Mr. Pitcnetti. “So, it’s about hunting and hunting that you can safely talk about with the Russian officers.”
At the same time, he added, “I know they would not hesitate to shoot me in the back if ordered to do so.” “Like I do the same with them.”
John Ismay Contributed reporting from Washington, D.C
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