News like this, shows what?
(www.nbcnews.com)
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No, there was a war before WW2. Started in 1939 after clashes on the USSR-Finland border and ended in 1940 with Findland loss of land critical for USSR defence, especially around Leningrad(S.Petersburg).
After WW2 Finland was defeated along with Axis, and left for themself. Soon, Finland become one of the closest trade partner with USSR among capitalist countries.
Ended in 1941, wasnt the winter war in 1944 or the continuation war?
I thought there was something later in 1950 or 55? Finland expanded.
Not simply a stretched Soviet front rushing into Germany, made a truce with Finland already breaking away from Germany, but preventing invasion and communism. Although losing territory.
They did indeed, practically an open border, after the break up of the USSR. Now it's closed again.
No, at that time there already was trade established between USSR and Finland. Peace treaty after WWII was established in 1948. Finland lost some land again and paid a reparations for participating in a war against USSR on the side of Germany, but in exchange got full sovereignty and even was not sovetised in any sense. USSR didn't intervene in internal politics of Finland, however Finland choose to be on side with USSR in international politics.
I thought there was a border region between the two, Soviets fought internally, Finland gain territory from it? This happened after WW2. Perhaps I am wrong.
Formally, there was three known wars between Finland and USSR/Russia.
Finland was created in 1809 by Alexander I as Great princedom of Finland - region of Ugro-Finnish and Saam people on the territory seized by Russian Empire from Sweden during Britain-Russia clashes. Formally it was part of Russian Empire, but it was pretty autonomous, with own government and kind of sovereignity. Then, Alexander II advanced Finnish statehood even further - Finnish language was made official, authorities was set from locals, and even military duty was optional for Finland. Obviously, no wars at that time. Finns set Alexander I and II statues in their towns and was pretty grateful to Russia, living their own Finnish lives as they want.
First war started right after Bolshevik Revolution when everybody around, including even USA rushed to rob falling Russian Empire. Finland get independence in 1917, had an internal civil war where German and Swedes supported one side that win, and around 1920 during Russian civil war, as many did, Finland invaded Russia trying to seize Karelia. This eneded with Bolshevik gave out some land - islands in Barents sea and Vyborg region.
Second war, when Stalin took over Bolshevik Jews in the battle for power in USSR, was in 1939-1940. Vyborg region and some other land was returned to Russia.
Third war, Finland allied with Germany and participated in WWII against USSR. Lost more lands and paid reparations.
That's all.