Finland and USSR after WWII

[Prince Cobra]

The period I am interested in is between 1945 and 1991 esp. the beginning of the period. I am in the beginning of certain project at university and I'd like clarify several things in the literature I have.

Several brief questions:

1) In the Winter War there was an attempt by USSR to annex Finland (like the Baltic states), it failed. However, after the World War II the situation was slightly different. Did the Soviet leadership still want to annex (or puppeteer) Finland? Did they have the opportunity(was Finland in the Russian sphere of influence)? Or they have the opportunity but simply did not want to complicate their relations with the other Scandinavian states. Or was there anything else?

2) In 1948 there was a pact for friendship. A simplified explanation: It included military colaboration. It was a success for Finland to restrict it to favourable for Finland conditions (Finland-Soviet engagement only concerned the Finnish territory; and unless somebody attacked Finland (highly unlikely, I think), it practically would not be used ). De facto Finland is neutral with Soviet Union as a guarantee for this neutrality. Is this so (to the exception of 1961 "Note crisis" that was more like a test). Is this right?

Thanks for the help...