The Soviet Union insisted that Finland should suppress all traces of fascism and put on trial those responsible for dragging the country into the war. At the same time the anti-fascist groups which had been suppressed previously – notably the Communist Party – should be allowed to operate freely within the political system.

Paasikivi became Prime Minister in September 1944 and, under the presidency of Mannerheim until 1946, he directed the political life of Finland during the difficult years of adjustment. The prestige of Mannerheim was an indispensible asset which helped to educate Finns to the realities of their new situation. Mannerheim realized that Finland could no longer pose as a bastion of Christian civilization against the barbarian hordes of bolshevism. There was no more talk of crusades against the hereditary enemy. Instead there was a sober appreciation that, if Finland was to survive and prosper as a democratic society, a way must be found to live at peace with the giant eastern neighbour. Paasikivi had always realized this. As a Compliant in the Tsarist times and as a negotiator of peace settlements with the Soviet Union over a period of 25 years, he had always been consistent in his assessment of reality. This conservative-minded banker echoed the sentiments of Engels in accepting the maxim that ‘Freedom is the recognition of necessity’. Words which recognize this sentiment are carved below the rugged granite block which stands in Helsinki as his monument.