Among others, Claesson has pointed out that Russia may try to test NATO's cohesion by, for example, occupying a small uninhabited island in the Baltic Sea or a piece of land near the Russian border.
The aim would be to damage NATO's credibility if NATO countries fail to agree on how to act in such a situation.
"Go to the sauna, take a dip in the ice water and stay calm. We'll keep a cool head," Finnish President Alexander Stubb told Hufvudstadsbladet last week.
Overinterpretation?
Claesson emphasizes that it would never occur to him to criticize the head of state of another allied state, but ÖB believes that the question asked to the President of Finland may have caused Stubb to overinterpret what ÖB actually said.
"I'm not saying that the first Russian tank army is around the corner," says Claesson.
ÖB doesn't think he and Stubb are really that far apart.
What Claesson pointed to is a smaller Russian operation using hybrid methods, such as sabotage or saboteur units.
Misconduct
Claesson also emphasizes that he has never commented on the likelihood of such an action. According to him, it is about ÖB having an obligation to push himself to think about the worst that could happen.
Otherwise, it would be misconduct not to actually think about it and prepare, says Claesson.
TT: Stubb also says that Finland has a border with Russia and that "we'll manage."
As I said, it would never occur to me to criticize a foreign head of state, Claesson says.
But I note that the border with Russia is longer than the Finnish one.
