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Finlands relationship with Russia deteriorated following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, with a number of Russians diplomats expelled for spying, Russians restricted from visiting Finland and the general opinion immediately changing for Finland to join NATO.[127]
The Finnish Defence Forces consist of a cadre of professional soldiers (mainly officers and technical personnel), currently serving conscripts, and a large reserve. The standard readiness strength is 34,700 people in uniform, of which 25% are professional soldiers. A universal male conscription is in place, under which all male Finnish nationals above 18 years of age serve for 6 to 12 months of armed service or 12 months of civilian (non-armed) service. Voluntary post-conscription overseas peacekeeping service is popular, and troops serve around the world in UN, NATO, and EU missions. Women are allowed to serve in all combat arms. In 2022, 1211 women entered voluntary military service.[128] The army consists of a highly mobile field army backed up by local defence units. With a high capability of military personnel,[129] arsenal[130] and homeland defence willingness, Finland is one of Europe's militarily strongest countries.[131]
Finnish defence expenditure per capita is one of the highest in the European Union.[132] The branches of the military are the army, the navy, and the air force. The border guard is under the Ministry of the Interior but can be incorporated into the Defence Forces when required for defence readiness.
Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023,[98] though it participated in the NATO Response Force before becoming a member. Finland also contributes to the EU Battlegroup.[133][134][135] Finland sent personnel to the Kosovo Force and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.[136][137]
Section 6 of the Finnish Constitution states: "No one shall be placed in a different position on situation of sex, age, origin, language, religion, belief, opinion, state of health, disability or any other personal reason without an acceptable reason".[139]
Finland has been ranked above average among the world's countries in democracy,[140] press freedom,[141] and human development.[142] Amnesty International has expressed concern regarding some issues in Finland, such as the imprisonment of conscientious objectors, and societal discrimination against Romani people and members of other ethnic and linguistic minorities.[143][144]