In the recently published book 'Muistiinmerkintöjä Moskovasta' by former Finnish ambassador to Moscow Antti Helanterä, the author discusses the profound impact of Finland's decision to pursue NATO membership on Russia's political landscape. Helanterä recounts a lunch meeting in April 2022 with a former high-ranking Russian deputy minister and security policy expert, who bluntly labeled Finland's NATO membership as a 'threefold loss' for Russia.

The expert elaborated on this assertion by breaking down the losses into three categories. Firstly, there would be a massive loss of prestige for Russia, which has consistently tried to prevent the eastward expansion of NATO. Secondly, Finland's accession to NATO would result in a military setback in the Baltic Sea region, altering the balance of power significantly to Russia's detriment. Lastly, the change would also transform the nature of relations between Finland and Russia, as Russia had treated Finland as a 'special case' that benefited from their bilateral ties.

This revealing perspective outlines the significant geopolitical implications of Finland's NATO membership and sheds light on the internal assessments within the Russian elite regarding loss of influence in the region. The book raises important questions about security dynamics in Northern Europe and the future of NATO-Russia relations, emphasizing the profound changes triggered by Finland's recent strategic decisions.