The information war has several underlying causes. Russia wants to explain its presence in Ukraine to both Russians and external parties and at the same time it wants to show other countries who’s boss, according to Illarionov, who met with Yle in Tallinn on Thursday.
“Like the local thug, Russia wants to show that it can do as it pleases,” Illarionov told Yle.
Is Russia a threat to Finland?
Illarionov served as President Putin's economic adviser and personal representative at the G8 from 2000-2005. He resigned in 2005, publicly announcing that Russia was no longer a free or democratic state.
He is currently working in the United States Cato Institute as a senior researcher and source of tough advice regarding Russia. He has shown a knack for predicting surprise developments in the Ukrainian war.
Illarionov is also not shy of generating the odd media storm. Last March, he told the Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet that Putin wants Finland back.
But is Russia genuinely a security threat now or in the future?
“So far, Putin has not told of their plans, and that is why I try to avoid speculation,” he says.
He does, however, point out problematic Russian legislations that would allow Putin to send troops to other countries. Finland could indeed be subject to such a move in accordance with the laws of the Russian State Duma.
Sanctions too small and set too late
Illarionov regarded sanctions against Russia as inadequate and dysfunctional.
“They are too small, they come too late and they are not influenced by Putin's activities,” he said.
Even more severe sanctions should be put in place against Russia, in his opinion, sending a clear message that aggression in Ukraine must end.