A historic moment was witnessed this weekend in Yleisradio’s new Yle Sunnuntai discussion programme. Poland’s Ambassador to Finland, Tomasz Chłoń, gave a long interview of around ten minutes in Finnish. It is likely that no foreign ambassador has ever before appeared on Finnish television speaking fluent Finnish – let alone in a lengthy discussion that also addressed security policy and economic relations.

Ambassador Chłoń did not settle for light pleasantries, but spoke effortlessly to the Finnish audience about even difficult subjects:security policy, economic relations, and Russia’s growing pressure. The conversation with YLE’s journalist focused on the dramatic events of recent days, when Russia sent 21 drones into Polish airspace in a single night.

Poland shot down some of the aircraft with the support of other NATO countries. According to Chłoń, this operation demonstrated that both Poland’s own defence and NATO’s response work effectively. He described the incident as clearly hostile and deliberate action by Russia.

“One, two, or even three drones would not be surprising, but 21 came into Poland in a single night.”

According to the Ambassador, Russian drones will not plunge Poland into fear.

“We are not afraid. We are in NATO and we have a strong army of our own,” the head of the Polish mission in Helsinki explained in fluent Finnish.

“The Ahtisaari Moment” Symbolises Hope in Crisis

In the interview, Chłoń stressed that NATO’s response to the drone attacks reminded him of President Martti Ahtisaari. He used the phrase “the Ahtisaari moment”, referring to the fact that even in crises there are always elements of hope.

On Friday, NATO announced the start of an operation named Eastern Sentry, through which several allied countries – including Denmark, Germany and France – will provide Poland with fighter jets and other defence equipment. According to Chłoń, this support came quickly and was sufficient in its entirety. “It means that there are elements of hope in a crisis.”

The Zapad Exercise and NATO’s Iron Defender

The YLE interview also dealt with ongoing military exercises. Russia and Belarus began at the weekend the Zapad exercise, held once every four years and involving some 30,000 soldiers. The exercise includes simulations of destroying NATO forces.

At the same time, on the Polish side, NATO’s Iron Defender exercise is underway, with a similar participation of about 30,000 soldiers. Chłoń assured YLE that the situation is not seen as particularly tense in Poland: “We are ready. NATO allies are involved.”

An Ambassador Who Wants to Speak the Language of Finns

What makes Chłoń’s appearance unique, however, is not only the content but also the language. Never before in Finland has a foreign ambassador appeared so extensively on television in Finnish – especially when the topics of discussion were current issues of international politics and economics.

Usually foreign envoys rely on English or an interpreter. This time the Polish diplomat addressed Finns in their own language – fluently and convincingly. This makes the case exceptional also in the history of Finnish diplomacy.

Chłoń’s decision to appear in Finnish on television can be seen as a gesture to bring Poland closer to Finns. The connection between the Polish and Finnish audience was built this time without an intermediary language, which made the message more direct and natural.

It is not only a matter of language skills, but also of political messaging: Poland wants to show that it is close to Finland both in values and in practical security cooperation – while also highlighting new opportunities for cooperation with Poland, which is experiencing strong economic growth.

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