In the event of a war, I'd expect those military bases would be targeted first. So you're correct, but that's only under the assumption war is never officially declared.
But the point is that if Russia attacks our bases, they're immediately at war with us, which serves as a deterrent and means that it doesn't matter all that much if Finland's and Sweden's forces look weak.
It's mainly for bases and overflight access, not the strength of their armies. Russia is never going to attack them anyway.
In the event of a war, I'd expect those military bases would be targeted first. So you're correct, but that's only under the assumption war is never officially declared.
But the point is that if Russia attacks our bases, they're immediately at war with us, which serves as a deterrent and means that it doesn't matter all that much if Finland's and Sweden's forces look weak.
Which is why I said he was right, at least right up and until war is already declared. At that point it's completely reversed.