Interview with Vladislav Nobel-Oleinik from the Karelian National Movement
https://t.me/FennoscandiaHello Vladislav! First, introduce your political background and how your project «Fennoscandia ᛝ Væringjavegr» came to be.
Good day! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to present the fundamental idea of our project regarding the ethnocultural peculiarities of the Germanic-Scandinavian, Baltic, and Finnish peoples of Northern Europe, particularly North Russia, to the German audience. Initially, I was a member of the Wotanjugend and had an interest in Germanic studies. Historically, it turned out that my ancestors included Swedish settlers in Ukraine and the Finnish peoples of North Russia, which was confirmed through my genetic test. I was born in the far north, near the border with Norway, in settlements where the descendants of oppressed individuals and military garrisons live (where the submarine "Kursk" sank).
At first, I was interested in Strasserism, but as I delved into world history and my family history, I discovered the figure of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim. His idea of liberating Karelia and Ingria appealed to me, and at the same time, I was fascinated by the Viking Age. It seems to me that all of this, along with an understanding of the biological peculiarities of Northern Europeans, shaped my vision. The project itself emerged from my notes at the university, where I made observations about history, ethnoculture, everyday life, and the lives of people in northern countries, and people began subscribing to it on their own. Later, I pursued a master's degree in biology and started incorporating genetics, anthropology, and biosociology into the texts of my contributions. This piqued the interest of readers, and I discovered the idea of ethnoregionalism – the consolidation of like-minded and genetically related biotypes united by an existential perception of the world (psychotype), genetics, and phenotype.
After tourist trips to Finland, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and studying in Norway, it finally became clear to me that this world is aesthetically and ethically closer to me. A crucial step was finding people with similar interests. Some were actively engaged in Finno-Ugric topics, others in Germanic studies, and some were interested in the historical peculiarities of their own region, but everyone understood that we differed from the Russian masses. All of this formed the project «Fennoscandia ᛝ Væringjavegr», which later, along with my colleagues, developed into a movement for the independence of Karelia.
Fennoscandia encompasses the greater region of Scandinavia, including Finland and Karelia. Is your goal a unified Nordic realm that includes Karelia, or do you aim for an independent Karelian nation separate from both Russia and Finland?
Our main goal is to create an independent Karelia from Vyborg to the Kola Peninsula. Ideally, we also wish for an independent Ingria. We advocate for a new buffer zone and the "Karelization" project, which will extend towards Helsinki, Tallinn, Copenhagen, and the establishment of a repatriation institute there for those who share similar existential perspectives as us. This was already demonstrated in the original project of the early Fennoman movement, which aimed to build an independent Finland. Now, we follow in their footsteps. For the Baltic states and Northern Europe, this will serve as a defense shield against Moscow in the region between the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea and the Arctic.
As a consequence of the Winter War of 1939/40 and the Continuation War from June 1941, numerous Karelians fled from the Soviet part of Karelia to Finland. It is claimed that they have fully assimilated into the Finnish population. Is this true, or do the Karelian-descended Finnish citizens also aspire to be part of an independent Karelian state? Even today, there are regions of North and South Karelia in Finland. Are they envisioned to be part of the new Karelian state?
Yes, a significant number of Karelians, Ingrians, Veps, and Sami people left their land and emigrated to Finland. Some Pomors and Kola Norwegians fled to Norway. The Karelian population in Finland is strongly polarized, representing either the radically left-wing faction feeling oppressed by the Finns, or the radically right-wing faction that takes pride in being Finnish citizens and honors the bravery of Finnish army soldiers who assisted in evacuating their relatives from the White Sea area of Karelia. Karelian ethnic members also reside in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and Ukraine. We do not make territorial claims. Every descendant of the Karelian people will have the opportunity to acquire citizenship in the national state of the indigenous peoples of Karelia. We do not claim Karelian territories that are part of Finland. Our special interest lies, at the very least, in the territory of Karelia within the borders of 1956, when it was an independent republic within the Soviet Union, on equal terms with Ukraine.
The demographic reality in the present-day Republic of Karelia seems to be against the Karelian people, who now represent only a minority compared to the Russian population due to nearly a century of Russification and emigration. How do you plan to address this issue, and what is your vision for the Russian majority population in Karelia?
When we focus on genetics and phenotype, it becomes evident that a significant portion of the population in Northern Russia belongs to Finnish and Baltic peoples. Many "Russians" are actually of Finnish-Baltic descent but have been Russified over centuries of Russian rule. An important point is that the "Pomors" are listed as Russians in documents and are not allowed to establish their own ethnocultural autonomy. I would also like to mention that there are many descendants of suppressed Poles, Germans, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Latvians and Lithuanians in Karelia. Their ancestors were sent to the GULAG, and despite not being ethnic Russians, they are registered as such. We plan to address all these issues through a system of horizontal repatriations based on mutual consent. Additionally, we aim to attract Scandinavian-Germanic peoples (such as Volga Germans, Ural and Siberian Swedes) and Finnish peoples (such as Siberian Estonians, Ingrians, Erzya, and Mokshas) from Russia for immigration to the new region.
So, does Fennoscandia not aim to be a transnational political entity but rather describes a cultural and ideal space where the North Germanic, Baltic, and Finno-Ugric peoples of Europe organize themselves into independent nation-states, while still being aware of their close kinship and common roots, and therefore clearly distinguish themselves from the Russian Federation?
Yes, certainly. However, if we consider the idea of the Nordic Council as a supranational structure, we are naturally interested in integrating into such unions. At this stage of its existence, we are significantly interested in this project as an alternative to the EU, particularly in terms of cooperation. We support the ethnocultural exchange among the peoples of Northern Europe and the Baltic states but do not wish to replace Moscow's dictate with Brussels.
How do you view the idea of the Nordic Resistance Movement, which is active in Scandinavia and seeks to establish a united Nordic superstate, and what is your general stance towards this movement?
Yes, we have heard about this movement and are currently studying it. We are interested in certain aspects of their program. For instance, in the field of ecology, we stand in solidarity with them, but we do not share their views on economic aspects. The idea of a unified state in Northern Europe is not such an important goal in our opinion. If a new version of the Kalmar Union is established with its Neo-Scandinavism, meaning a supranational level similar to the EU but exclusively for Northern Europe, then this could be more practical. Preserving the cultural diversity of the peoples of the North and avoiding homogenization is crucial.
We have individuals sympathetic to the views of this political movement, but we advocate for a fully-fledged parliamentary right-wing governance and not a one-party dictatorship. Our ideal is a Platonic "Polity - πολιτεία" (Meritocracy). Representatives and supporters of national-oriented socialism will certainly have a place in the parliament, but an important clarification is that for the majority of right-leaning people living in Russia, especially those born in the USSR, anything related to "socialism" carries a negative connotation. This is particularly true for Karelia, where the pursuit of socialism led not only to ethnic oppression but also to repression based on social status. It is a historical fact.
Are you also in contact with other national movements seeking independence from Moscow and facing repression within the Russian Federation or operating in exile? How do you assess the chances of a complete disintegration of the Federation?
Yes, of course, we maintain contact with all European-oriented movements advocating for the secession of their regions from the Kremlin. Our closest allies include the Cossacks, Pomors, the Finnish peoples of the Volga region, Siberians, and the Russian Volunteer Corps. I believe that a complete disintegration will not happen immediately, but regions along the borders have a better chance of seceding. This applies to both European and Asian parts of Russia.
How has the Ukraine conflict influenced and changed your political activities? Has the pressure from Moscow against your movement increased, and are there any voluntary fighters from Karelia supporting Ukraine against the Moscow invaders?
Our speeches in the European Parliament and before the American establishment have had an impact on our lives, and in the Russian Federation, we are already facing potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. We have spoken in the European Parliament, and some individuals communicated through online transmissions from Karelia. We discussed the situation of the indigenous northern peoples of Karelia and how the population is facing ethnocide under the occupation of Moscow authorities. Some of our comrades have already been arrested on charges of high treason. Currently, nationalist-oriented separatist movements are facing significant pressure from the police and the FSB (Federal Security Service). In the Ukrainian armed forces, there are many individuals from Karelia, some of whom have been fighting since 2014. The unified formation of all Karelian peoples with conservative views provides a platform for publishing materials about the political and military situation.
Are your political activities currently limited to Finland due to the pressure of repression in Russia? How do you recruit new allies, and do you have friendly contacts with Finnish nationalists?
Currently, we collaborate with individual activists in Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Estonia, and Norway, who are committed to the cultural revival of Karelian heritage. Most of these individuals are descendants of the Karelian people who had to leave their homeland. Our focus is on activities within Russia, so we do not interfere in Finnish politics and continue to concentrate on the Ukraine conflict and partisan activities in Karelia. I always maintain brief communication with Finnish nationalists regarding collaborations to avoid any problems.
You mentioned rejecting socialism due to its negative connotations. Does that mean you strive for a Western-style capitalism where the state has no intervention in the economy, and there practically is no welfare state? Or do you still prefer a third way that represents a middle ground between capitalism and communism?
In an ideal world, we do not strive for any left-wing ideologies at all. Even capitalism is considered a leftist doctrine since it is essentially a product of modernity and the leveling ideals of the French Revolution. Our ideal is an aristocratic republic. The idealistic concept of the Nordic model manifests as a socio-cultural symbiosis of meritocracy and aristocracy, aligning with Plato's "polity," where power is vested in the most worthy individuals forming the upper ranks of society. The Normans chose their leaders based on their abilities, merits, and hereditary wealth known as "Hamingja."
We advocate for a right-wing parliamentary system. Party factions encompass various forms of traditionalists, conservatives, and national-oriented movements. For instance, the party of the radical or reactionary right in this concept may consist of monarchists and aristocratic republicans, while the most progressive position is reserved for representatives of national and socialist ideologies. We are exclusively interested in the right-wing discourse and do not welcome proponents of egalitarianism within our ranks.
The ecological question seems to have special significance for you. Could you explain in more detail in which areas you wish for an ecological revolution and how you plan to implement it in line with the technological conditions of the 21st century?
An essential aspect for all Nordic peoples is undoubtedly green politics and sustainable development. As an ecologist, I must emphasize that the situation in some regions of Russia is critical, comparable to third-world countries. It is crucial to initiate reforms in accordance with European environmental standards, as North Karelia has a considerable number of ports and waterways, including the White Sea-Baltic Canal route and the Arctic Northern Sea Route, which are the future of transport logistics. Consequently, the significance of ecology in the pre-Arctic and Arctic regions grows with each passing year.
Furthermore, it is essential to mention the ethnocultural characteristics of a mindful approach to nature, which is shared among all Nordic peoples at a conscious level. All these and many other factors describe the work required in this direction. When it comes to philosophical teachings, we find deep ecology, represented by Kaarlo Pentti Linkola, fascinating. Preserving the biodiversity of Nordic regions is of paramount importance.
Does your commitment to your Nordic and Fennoscandian identity also reflect in the religious and spiritual domain? You mentioned at the beginning that you came to your political project through the Wotanjugend. How would you describe your religious beliefs, and what is your stance on desert religions and specifically Christianity?
The religious factor is part of our cultural heritage, and it undoubtedly reflects in the ethnocultural environment. In the "Wotanjugend" project, I delved into the historical aspect of the Vikings' influence on the formation of Russia and the Germanic traces in the Russian Empire's nobility. I consider myself an atheist, but since all morality is determined by irrational religious motives, I can be described as an atheistic follower of Nordic polytheism. I want to emphasize that in Norse mythology, I view the Aesir as gods of Germanic origin, while the Vanir represent the personification of the indigenous Finnish population as manifestations of natural phenomena.
In conclusion, would you, as avowed non-socialists, integrate into a European confederation that sees itself as a fortress against transatlantic imperialism, Moscow neobolshevism, and Islamic expansion? Or do you view the fate of Fennoscandia and Karelia as separate from the rest of Europe?
Within our movement, there are two kinds of people: some advocate for pan-European cooperation, while others are solely interested in Nordic cooperation. In other words, individuals can be classified as isolationists or conservatives with a pan-European mindset. Nevertheless, the prosperity of Europe is undoubtedly secured by Fennoscandia protecting itself against invasive and non-complementary biotypes from hostile regions.
Thank you for your candid answers, and we hope that national independence movements in the Russian Federation will grow to abolish the Bolshevik slavery one day and that a free Karelia will become a reality in the future.
https://t.me/suur_suomen_sotilaat