Transatlantic relations | Niinistö met Pelosi and McConnell in Washington DC

Policy|Transatlantic relations

President Sauli Niinistö met the leadership of the US Congress in Washington DC on Thursday. The president said that during the day he had discussed, among other things, Finland’s NATO membership and Russia.

Niinistö told about the meetings on Twitter.

“The work continues in Washington DC. Several good meetings will be held today on Capitol Hill. Discussions about transatlantic security, Finland’s NATO membership, Russia and Finland’s bilateral relations with the United States,” Niinistö said.

The president said that he had met at least the speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy PelosiSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s and Republican Senator by Jim Risch. He did not elaborate on the discussions that took place.

McConnell in particular has acted in the United States as an advocate for Finland’s NATO membership. He, for example assured in his March meeting with Niinistö, that the United States would ratify Finland’s membership application quickly.

Niinistö is currently on a week-long visit to the United States, where he is leading the Finnish delegation during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly.

According to the president’s office, Niinistö also has bilateral meetings in Washington DC during Thursday.