Correspondent ‘s analysis Niinistö’s visit to the White House was “lightning fast”, and there was a clear picture of the direction of Finland.

Washington

When The President of The Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö visited the White House of the President of the United States Joe Biden as a guest, the very first joint appearance at the Oval Office seemed eloquent.

Niinistö and Biden performed with a lot of smiles side by side, told about their close contact, thanked each other, nodding and looking into their eyes, even joking. Given the seriousness of the situation, the atmosphere seemed liberated and cheerful.

A couple of hours later, Niinistö, who was satisfied, stepped in to the Finnish Embassy in the United States, who patiently answered questions from the media.

Niinistö is known as a man who sometimes formulates his words quite crypticly, but this time the main content of the message was clear.

Finland The main purpose of the “lightning speed” visit to Washington was to improve Finland’s security as a border neighbor of an unpredictable and enlargement-minded Russia.

Last week, it has been debated whether Finland is at greater risk of joining NATO or staying out of it for fear of annoying Russia. After the meeting, Niinistö took a clear position on what is best for Finland’s security.

“It [yhteistyön tiivistäminen Yhdysvaltojen kanssa] is a development that strengthens our security. Our main goal is to secure Finland. This is one way to do it. NATO is another entity, ”Niinistö said.

According to Niinistö, the best way to promote Finland’s security is to rely on the United States and the military alliance NATO – not, for example, to try not to provoke Russia by refraining from closer co-operation.

The possible irritation of Russia did not seem to be a concern for Niinistö at all. He stated that the Russians note Finland’s rapprochement with the United States. “They notice and quote. That’s not a bad thing. “

Niinistö repeatedly emphasized the strengthened European cooperation and a strong sense of unity as a result of the Russian invasion. According to Niinistö, this development will also improve Finland’s security. If Russia threatened Finland, there would be solidarity in Europe and perhaps soldiers to support Finland.

The President emphasized in particular the importance of the change in Germany’s defense policy for Finland and Europe as a whole. Germany has announced a significant increase in its defense spending, and it also intends to review and equip Russia’s military capabilities.

More intricate Niinistö said that a “clear process to increase defense and security cooperation” between the United States and Finland is now being launched. The subject of the analysis for the coming days is probably what this means in practice.

Yes, Niinisto was asked for clarifications on several occasions during the press conference. He was asked, among other things, whether the process could involve some kind of NATO palpation. To this, the president replied that these are “concrete factors, not so much memberships”.

He did not answer the question of what is the first thing that could come up through this process. “They can be bigger or smaller.”

When asked by Niinistö whether the United States offered Finland possible military protection in the event of a Russian defeat or invasion, Niinistö replied that that process the aim is to intensify cooperation with the United States. “What time it produces, it seems.”

One interpretation could be that Finland sought reassurance that defense equipment would be available quickly from the United States in a tight spot.

In any case, the acceptance of the process formality was the issue that Niinistö raised as a key achievement of the meeting. “Putting things on the table in concrete terms, whatever the needs and thoughts are.”

Finding out about NATO membership may be one idea that will be brought to the table at some point. At least such an image arose, although Niinistö avoided answering the question on several occasions.

Also in an interview with Fox News, Niinistö had to answer the question “does Finland want NATO” on Friday. He stated that majority of the people has turned to the military alliance, and is now trying to assess the disadvantages and benefits as quickly as possible. In the title of the TV interview, it was bluntly interpreted that Finland and Sweden were seeking membership in a military alliance.

A lot also tells what is happening around now.

Niinistö and Biden, for example, decided spontaneously to call the Swedish prime minister in the middle of the meeting To Magdalena Andersson.

Andersson and the Swedish Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist will be visiting Helsinki today on Saturday. Niinistö will meet them both.

Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen (Central) arrives to visit the United States next week.

Niinisto was asked what he would like to answer for those who suspect NATO membership is being prepared behind closed doors, even though it is not granted directly. “Yes, it has become quite clear to me what is being done,” Niinistö said.

Finland made it very clear during Niinistö ‘s visit who was standing.

There is no hesitation or humiliation in front of Russia, the United States is a significant and growing partner, and NATO is moving closer – at least through the fact that the United States is a leading NATO country.

Although Niinistö’s wording was not process clear, a clear picture of Finland’s direction was conveyed: co-operation with the USA is deepening, the door to NATO is open, Finland does meet the criteria. Things are being clarified and foundations are now being laid on several fronts, and Sweden is an essential partner in everything.

Now we are taking concrete steps into the new. In the near future, it will become clear what they hold.