Moscow wants to restore Soviet-era spheres of influence, according to Antti Häkkänen.Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen at the opening of the 257th National Defence Course at the House of Estates in Helsinki. Photo: Lehtikuva Image: LehtikuvaYle News7.9. 12:20Finland must respond to the threat from Russia calmly, but also firmly and decisively, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) said on Monday.Häkkänen made the remarks during his opening address at the 257th National Defence Course, which brings together leaders from government, the media and academia to discuss national security issues."Russia's imperial ambitions will not end with Ukraine," Häkkänen said. He added that Moscow is seeking to restore at least the spheres of influence it had during the Soviet era.Häkkänen described the Russian threat as long-term and unpredictable, with his remarks coming as Finland completes its eastern border fence."The time to strengthen Finland's national defence is now," Häkkänen said, noting that the impact of Europe's increased defence spending will only become visible in practice in the 2030s.Finland is also investing in counter-drone capabilities together with Sweden."This is a significant and historic step in closer Finnish-Swedish cooperation. It is also a testament to the Nordic countries taking responsibility for their own defence," Häkkänen said.The defence minister also welcomed the growth in Finnish defence exports. Last year, 479 export licences were granted, while the value of completed exports was around 700 million euros.Eastern border fence completedFinland has completed a 200-kilometre barrier along its eastern border with Russia this autumn.The eastern border fence has been built as close to the Russian border as technically possible. File photo from 2025. Image: Heikki Haapalainen / YleThe project affected thousands of Finns, with around one thousand landowners receiving compensation. The fence is designed to prevent unauthorised entry. Construction began after the asylum seeker situation in 2023, when thousands of migrants crossed the border, prompting Finland to close its eastern border crossings.The Finnish government still considers it possible that the threat of instrumentalised migration could return.The project cost 356 million euros, with maintenance expected to cost a further 1.5 million euros a year.The construction of the border fence also required bridge structures and pontoons. Image: Mikko Savolainen / Yle