Finnish President Niinistö: Russia’s demands for NATO worries Europe
Sauli Niinistö. Photo: Mikhail Klimentiev / RIA Novosti
Russia's demands on the United States and NATO for security guarantees contradict the existing security order in Europe. This concern was expressed during the New Year's address by the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, reports TASS.
“Areas of interest have no place in the 2020s. The sovereign equality of all states is a basic principle that everyone should respect, ”the head of state said.
Niinistö stressed that patience, responsibility and dialogue are the only way forward. According to him, a sustainable future cannot be built using military force or violence.
“The sovereignty of several EU countries, including Sweden and Finland, has been called into question [by politicians] outside the EU. This makes the EU an involved party, the EU should not be content with just the role of the technical coordinator of sanctions, ”said the Finnish leader and added that Helsinki's line in foreign and security policy remains stable.
On December 14, it was reported that US President Joe Biden and Niinistö discussed “common concerns” about Russia's actions near the border with Ukraine. The heads of state noted the importance of the transatlantic efforts to de-escalate the current situation.
