Pekka Haavisto said it would bring more security to his country

Finnish Foreign Minister: Ukraine's war forces Helsinki to turn towards "NATO"

Finnish Foreign Minister.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto talked about the reasons that prompted his country to fully join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and said in an interview with "Foreign Policy" magazine that his country wants to join NATO as a result of the Ukraine war, and that this will bring it more of security.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

• In 2014, only a quarter of Finland's population supported joining "NATO" until the outbreak of the Ukraine war. Why have opinions changed so quickly now?

•• I think that people's opinions have changed since the Russian attack on Georgia, as well as the occupation of Crimea, and changed quickly after the war on Ukraine.

This is the result of three factors: First, Moscow's increasing willingness to risk its security and the lives of its soldiers, which is now greater than ever, as in the Ukraine war.

And the second, Russia's ability to mobilize about 100,000 soldiers in one spot without declaring a comprehensive mobilization in its army, and this I consider unusual.

The third is the Russian talk of unconventional weapons, tactical nuclear weapons and even chemical ones, and this is a new situation in Europe.

• What are the procedures for Finland's accession to the alliance, and what will happen next?

•• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a white paper to Parliament, related to the security situation after February 24, ie after the Ukraine war.

This paper became the subject of debate in Parliament.

Parliament's opinion will focus on the security environment, in addition to the possibility of advising on joining NATO.

And when Parliament finishes its deliberations, the government will be practically ready to present another white paper summarizing the necessary steps.

It is a complex issue, but things are moving forward.

• What are the advantages of joining "NATO"?

•• I think the most important thing is the additional security that NATO will bring.

We have 280,000 reservists, in addition to an army of compulsory service, which is one of the strongest in Europe.

We ordered F-35s from the United States, and upgraded our military's equipment.

Our vulnerability lies only in the face of chemical and nuclear threats, which we cannot handle on our own.

• What are the consequences of Russia's loss of Finland's neutrality after joining "NATO"?

•• Of course, upon joining NATO, the military landscape in the Baltic Sea region will change, which will require a specific response from Russia, because in this case NATO will be on the Russian borders, which will require Moscow to change its plans.

We understand this, as Russia will strengthen its nuclear capabilities in the Baltic Sea.

• Are you concerned that anything will happen in the lead up to June, when you will actually join the Alliance?

•• Of course we have to be prepared for everything.

• Were there Russian overflights over your country that were considered provocative?

•• Yes, such flights took place in Gotland, Sweden, last spring.

• How do you describe the Russian-Finnish relations currently?

•• I would describe it as official, as the border authorities of the two countries cooperate in the necessary issues.

• I realize that the train known as “Allegro” that connects the two countries has now stopped.

Is this true?

•• Yes, the Allegro stopped as a result of the sanctions against Russia.

• Is there any cooperation with Russia and at what level?

•• We continue to cooperate with the Russians on border issues.

We would like to see more movement of citizens between the two countries, but this seems difficult now, given the tight control imposed by the Russians on their part.

I hope that relations will one day return to their normal state as they were in the past, and that tourists from the two countries will return to exchange visits, but that seems impossible at the present time.

• What do you think about the re-election of Emmanuel Macron in France?

Do you feel comfortable with that?

•• Of course, because there is a very close cooperation with France.

• Upon joining NATO, the military landscape in the Baltic Sea region will change, which will require a specific response from Russia, because in this case NATO will be on the Russian borders, which will require Moscow to change its plans.

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