[url]http://yle.fi/uutiset/russia_raps_finland_for_ukrainian_laser_exports/7841253[/url]
[quote]The Russian Foreign Ministry has harshly criticised Finland’s decision to allow the Noptel firm to export laser rangefinders to Ukraine. The government decided last Thursday to grant permits for the items.
Now the Russian Foreign Ministry has published a statement on its website criticising the decision, saying that Finland has now decided to take sides in the Ukrainian conflict. According to Russia, this contravenes international norms.
The ministry cites the EU’s Common Position on Arms Exports from 2008 which says “Member States shall deny an export licence for military technology or equipment which would provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions or conflicts in the country of final destination”.
Noptel is an Oulu-based company that is owned by the Belgian FN Herstal concern. The rangefinders it is sending to Ukraine can be used in weaponry but also have other uses, for instance in binoculars.[/quote]
They are making it out to be that they are selling them mint tanks and weapons, sure rangefinders are ridiculously helpful but they won't turn the tide. Just means they'll have more accurate fire support and other various applications.
hy·poc·ri·sy (hĭ-pŏk′rĭ-sē)
n. pl. hy·poc·ri·sies
1. The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.
2. An act or instance of such falseness.
3. Russia.
How can you "aggravate" an active battlefront?
(I somehow doubt making the army more accurate would result in a longer conflict either.)
I thought we took the side when we stopped selling milk for Russians
[QUOTE=Tamschi;47248883]How can you "aggravate" an active battlefront?
(I somehow doubt making the army more accurate would result in a longer conflict either.)[/QUOTE]
Might be kicking up a fuss to try and dissuade (somehow) others from supplying more affective military aid?
[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;47249010]Might be kicking up a fuss to try and dissuade (somehow) others from supplying more affective military aid?[/QUOTE]
I think it's more about our past with Russia. Finland has always tried to be friendly with Russia, due to it's geopolitical situation (read [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finlandization[/url]). As a result, Russia is used to thinking that we would be in its "zone of influence".
Then again we have 350 000 troops in reserve, solely because of Russia, so there's that side to it too.
It's a pity Finland still has to bow to Russia's ever whim more than 60 years after the Winter War.
If selling the devices is causing such an issue, perhaps we should give them for free.
I really don't care what Russia thinks anymore. If they're not making an effort why should anyone else.
Relations between Finland and Russia have always been one-sided and unfair, I think it's time we do something they don't approve of for once.
We should slap duct tape on the Noptel logos and deny sending anything to Ukraine.
[QUOTE=DudesonFan;47249161]We should slap duct tape on the Noptel logos and deny sending anything to Ukraine.[/QUOTE]
Claim the Ukrainian's captured it from the rebels.
[QUOTE=Zestence;47249134]I really don't care what Russia thinks anymore. If they're not making an effort why should anyone else.
Relations between Finland and Russia have always been one-sided and unfair, I think it's time we do something they don't approve of for once.[/QUOTE]
Simo Häyhä approves. Seriously though, Russia has ZERO right to complain, they started the conflict, they gave plenty of weapons, training, and support to the rebels, and then bitch because Finland sends Ukraine a couple rangefinders...
[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;47249168]Claim the Ukrainian's captured it from the rebels.[/QUOTE]
I'd love if Noptel sends out a joking press release that states just that.
[QUOTE=Uberpro;47249027]I think it's more about our past with Russia. Finland has always tried to be friendly with Russia, due to it's geopolitical situation (read [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finlandization[/url]). As a result, Russia is used to thinking that we would be in its "zone of influence".
Then again we have 350 000 troops in reserve, solely because of Russia, so there's that side to it too.[/QUOTE]
Jaaysus, that's a large chunk of your population! I think you've only about 6 million citizens or so?
[QUOTE=QwertySecond;47251048]Jaaysus, that's a large chunk of your population! I think you've only about 6 million citizens or so?[/QUOTE]~5,47 mil
Man there's a lot more Finnish FPers than I realized.
Back on topic, I'm amazed that Russia has the stones to bitch about something so goddamn trivial.
"But Russia, why does it matter to you who we export our goods? You haven't taken any sides to begin with."
[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;47249168]Claim the Ukrainian's captured it from the rebels.[/QUOTE]
They're not entirely sure how the packages ended up in Ukraine - they must have gotten lost.
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