In World War II this role became important as Britain initially sought to cultivate links to Finland, but when Germany invaded the Soviet Union Finland became a "de facto" ally of the Nazis against the Russians.
In World War II this role became important as Britain initially sought to cultivate links to Finland, which had been attacked by Soviet Russia during the Winter War, as part of the Nazi-Soviet pact. When Germany invaded Russia, Finland became a "de facto" ally of the Nazis against the Russians.