Finnish-Turkish Relations as Reported by Envoy Yrjö-Koskinen

This article focuses on Finland’s relations with Turkey in 1940–1944. Although recognized independence as early 1918 and established diplomatic Finland 1926, did not have a mission Ankara until 1940. The protracted nature of the was mainly determined by lack basis (political or economic) for interest Turkey. A sharply changed situation following Soviet-Finnish war (1939–1940) Europe inevitably required additional information evaluation processes taking place. Neutral could provide such an opportunity even virtue fact that Finnish representative able to contact diplomats both Axis Western powers (with British Embassy before were severed England 1943). content reports envoy A. Yrjö-Koskinen enable imagine extremely difficult Turkey, which under constant political pressure from opposing sides. From point view Turkish state military leadership, victory either side World War posed risk In reality, Yrjö-Koskinen’s role head reduced collecting somewhat chaotic about world events, always accompanied his own analyses comments. At same time, envoy’s Foreign Ministry showed any evident development Finland.