Finland is a European country that shares an 800-mile border with Russia. It has a standing army of nearly 300,000 and can call on 900,000 reservists, and wartime shelters that can accommodate 80 per cent of its population of only 5.5 million.

In today's episode, we Iook at the history of a nation that has long been caught in the middle of the great powers of Europe and yet has managed to secure its independence through realpolitik and a comprehensive all hands on deck approach to defence.

And despite having this comprehensive security policy, the war in Ukraine has meant something seismic could now happen.

Finland is flirting with joining Nato.

Sources: AP

Produced by: Freya Pickford