Finns expect policymakers to respond actively to international tensions
A new study suggests that 71% of Finns believe the international rules-based order has already crumbled, and they hope Europe and Finland will respond with a robust foreign and security policy.
The research report ‘Wrecking-ball politics: Finns’ expectations in foreign and security policy transitions’ is based on the NATOpoll research project led by the University of Helsinki, in which survey data were gathered from over 3,100 Finns. 840 of these respondents had already completed surveys previously, enabling a longitudinal research perspective.
The report highlights that the international security environment is undergoing profound, wide-ranging change. As the rules-based order loses its guiding authority, nothing has yet emerged to replace it. Finns see it as Europe’s duty to defend this order against the hegemonic ambitions of the world’s major powers.
Developing closer cooperation with Brazil, India and other middle powers is seen as a broadly acceptable strategy. Support for Ukraine also remains strong, even as the prolongation of the war continues to present challenges.
Finns see Nato as a security guarantee
Although support for Finland’s Nato membership has declined by ten percent points in the past two years, settling at 73%, trust in collective defence has remained robust. Finns remain willing to support Nato, and 57% would be prepared to send reservists to a Nato ally under attack.
On nuclear weapons, support has increased for participation in Nato nuclear exercises (54%) and the transit of nuclear weapons through Finland (46%), but the deployment of nuclear weapons on Finnish soil continues to attract very little support (22%). A clear majority (59%) backs the strengthening of European nuclear deterrence.
Citizens and policymakers at odds over Finland’s relationship with the United States
Only around 10% of Finns believe the United States would be prepared to defend its Nato allies under the current administration. Trust in American commitment to defence cooperation with Finland is similarly low (24%).
Mistrust of the United States is particularly strong among women. Finland’s official position emphasises the closeness of bilateral relations and the breadth of cooperation between the two countries. Yet the majority of Finns would like to reduce Finland’s dependence on the United States in arms technology (87%), digital infrastructure (79%) and consumer choices more broadly (91%).
“The re-politicisation of security issues in Finland is particularly visible in the growing tension between the National Coalition Party and the Finns Party supporters, who are very positively disposed towards defence needs, and Left Alliance supporters, who are critical of them,” says the project leader, Associate Professor Hanna Wass of the University of Helsinki.
The report provides information and recommendations aimed at strengthening Finland’s preparedness and societal security in the coming years.
The dataset was collected by market research company Taloustutkimus between 31 March and 14 April 2026, with a margin of error of around ±1.8 percentage points across the full dataset and ±3.4 percentage points for the previous respondents. Funded by the Kone Foundation, the project involves researchers from the University of Helsinki, Tampere University, the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University and the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.
Further information:
Associate Professor of Political Science Hanna Wass, University of Helsinki, +358 50 448 4399
Researcher Elisa Leonoff, University of Helsinki, +358 40 128 2577
Professor Tuomas Forsberg, Tampere University, +358 50 569 1752
University Lecturer Johanna Vuorelma, Tampere University, +358 45 357 8335