Revealing the phone conversation between the Presidents of Russia – Finland about NATO

President Putin warned Finland

On May 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto as suggested by Helsinki.

Putin warned his Finnish counterpart that relations between the two neighbors could be “negatively affected” if Finland implements its plan to join NATO, the Kremlin press service said. Putin told President Sauli Niinisto that it would be a mistake for Finland to abandon “the traditional policy of military neutrality because there is no threat to Finland’s security”.

The Kremlin statement added: “Such a change in the country’s foreign policy could negatively affect Russian-Finnish relations, which have been built on the spirit of neighborliness and good partnership for many years and mutual benefit”.

The reaction came after Mr. Niinisto told Mr. Putin that Finland will decide to apply to join NATO in the coming days.

A statement from President Niinisto’s office said that the Finnish head of state told President Putin that Finland’s security environment had changed markedly after Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. Times pointed out that Moscow asked Helsinki not to seek membership in the 30-nation Western military alliance.

“The discussion (with President Putin) was frank, clear and without exaggeration. Mr. Niinisto – President of Finland since 2012 and one of the few Western leaders who have spoken regularly with Mr Putin over the past decade – said avoiding tensions was seen as important. President Niinisto pointed out that he told his Russian counterpart Putin at the first meeting in 2012 that each independent country would maximize its own security,” the statement said. .

“The situation is still the same. By joining NATO, Finland will strengthen its own security and assume its responsibilities,” said President Niinisto.

President Niinisto stressed that Finland, although potentially a future member of NATO, still wants to continue to deal with Russia bilaterally in “real problems created by the border area” and hopes hopes to engage with Moscow “in a professional manner.”

According to the Kremlin statement, the two leaders also discussed the “military operation” of the Russian Federation Russia in Ukraine and the possibility of a political solution. Mr Putin said talks between Russia and Ukraine had stalled due to Ukraine’s “lack of interest in a serious and constructive dialogue”.

Journey to join NATO

Finland shares a 1,340km border with Russia, the longest for any member of the European Union. EU any.

On May 11, President Sauli Niinisto and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin issued a joint statement in support of Finland’s membership in NATO and recommended that Finland “must apply to join NATO immediately” to ensure its security.

It is expected that on May 15, there will be an official announcement from President Niinisto and Prime Minister Marin about Finland’s intention to apply to join NATO. On May 14, the Social Democrats led by Prime Minister Marin approved Finland’s quest for NATO membership, paving the way for a parliamentary vote next week to endorse the move. The formal application for accession will then be sent to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Neighboring Sweden will also decide on its NATO position at a meeting of the Social Democrats led by Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on May 15.

One possible obstacle to the entry of Finland and Sweden into the alliance is opposition from NATO member Turkey. On May 13, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was “not positive” with the idea, citing support in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries for Kurdish fighters who Turkey considers it a terrorist.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said he had spoken by phone with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, “to reduce tensions”.

“I’m sure we will also find a solution to this problem,” Haavisto told reporters at the start of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin late on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden had a joint phone call on May 13 with both Finnish President Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Andersson. According to a White House statement, Mr. Biden “emphasized support for NATO’s open door policy; and the rights of Finland and Switzerland decide on the future, foreign policy and security of these countries”.