Finland Tears Up Soviet Rails in €Billion Shift Toward NATO and EU Integration

Finland is cutting its last tracks to Moscow—literally. The Nordic country will scrap its Russian-gauge railways and adopt the European standard, clearing the way for faster NATO troop movements, tighter EU integration, and a decisive break from Soviet-era infrastructure.

Finland has announced plans to convert its national rail network from the Russian 1524 mm gauge to the European standard of 1435 mm—a move that marks a major break from its historical ties with Russia and aligns its infrastructure with NATO and the EU. The decision, confirmed by Finnish authorities and reported by Railway Supply, is described as a strategic upgrade that will reinforce regional security and streamline cross-border military logistics.

The project, which involves transforming more than 9,200 km of railway, aims to facilitate the rapid deployment of NATO reinforcements, particularly in cooperation with Sweden and Norway, and improve logistical resilience along northern corridors.

Security and Logistics Drive Finland’s Infrastructure Overhaul

"If Finland needs NATO reinforcements, they’ll arrive via Norway’s ice-free ports and move through Sweden. We must avoid transloading troops and equipment at the northern border," explained military logistics expert Per Skoglund. "We don’t want trains to sit idle," he added, referencing Ukraine’s wartime rail logistics, where uninterrupted movement is key.

Finland's shift toward a north–south European-gauge corridor has become a government priority, with a particular focus on railway upgrades north of Oulu, where interoperabilityis most critical for regional defence. According to Transport and Communications Minister Lulu Ranne, Finland is committed to this long-term transformation. "Of course we’re pragmatic and realistic—it can’t be done in five years. Planning will continue until the end of the decade, and perhaps by 2032 we can begin construction," she told Hufvudstadsbladet. "We’ve already decided to proceed. What remains is the timeline and financing."

While the primary objective is to bolster national and allied defence, the government also views the transition as beneficial for private sector logistics and exports.

Europe is preparing for war with Russia. Five NATO countries are ready to lay mines along their borders with Russia, creating what The Daily Telegraph calls a new Iron Curtain.

Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have all announced their withdrawal from the Ottawa… pic.twitter.com/t4W56Pg1xg

— Saint Javelin (@saintjavelin) June 24, 2025

EU to Co-Finance Finland’s Strategic Rail Transformation

The European Union is expected to support the project, potentially covering up to 50% of planning costs and 30% of construction expenditures, depending on eligibility and final proposals. This funding could save Finland hundreds of millions of euros in the long run.

Finland currently operates on a 1524 mm gauge, a legacy of its historical rail integration with the former Soviet Union. The move to the 1435 mm European standard, already adopted by most of the EU, marks a clear political and technical shift away from Russian influence, echoing similar decisions under discussion in the Baltic states.

Sources: Railway Supply; Hufvudstadsbladet