Finland claims that despite pressure from Russia, it may join NATO.
Russian demands that Finland never join the armed alliance were rejected by Sauli Niinistö.
Saudi Niinistö, the president of Finland, rejected Russian demands on Saturday for no more NATO expansion within Finland’s borders, reiterating his nation’s right to join the alliance if it so chooses.
President Niinistö declared in his New Year’s speech that Finland has “room to man oeuvre and freedom of choice also include the possibility of military alignment and of applying for Nato membership, should we ourselves so decide.”
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, asked for assurances last month that Finland would not join NATO. President Putin stated that Russia rejects “NATO’s further movement eastward” and instead wants “international legal security guarantees” in a statement issued by the Kremlin.
According to opinion polls, 26% of Finns support joining NATO, while 40% are against.
President Niinistö stated, “Europe cannot just listen in this situation.” “Several member states’ sovereignty, including that of Sweden and Finland, has been contested by parties outside the Union. The EU is thus a party that is involved. The EU cannot content itself to only serve as the sanctions’ technical coordinator.
Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, faced backlash for adopting a more moderate approach towards Russia during his New Year’s speech.
“European security depends on transatlantic cooperation as well,” he stated. We are currently dealing with fresh difficulties in this regard related to Ukraine. The untouchability of borders is a valuable asset that cannot be compromised.
According to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace expert on US-Russian relations Andrew Weiss, there were “glaring disagreements between Mr.
