Defense not based on U.S. help: Niinistö

President Sauli Niinistö said on Saturday that Finland's security does not depend on the United States coming to rescue.

Niinistö made the remarks in an interview on national television Yle.

At a press conference on Tuesday in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump in a response to a question described the closeness of the relationship between Finland and the United States and used the word protection.

Finland is not a member of NATO, but is one of the partners in enhanced cooperation with the alliance.

Niinistö said that that the same view of not relying on the U.S. is common elsewhere in Western Europe. "It looks like also in Europe the idea that security comes from NATO and the U.S. is being gradually given up, and Europe itself has to do something".

He said that Finland has luckily done a lot on its own.

Niinistö said an actual defense input from the European Union is "far ahead", but noted the importance of cooperation in the EU for purchase of equipment. He said European defense requires a lot of changes in attitudes and will proceed in small steps.

Niinistö said there is growing outside interest in the work of the Arctic Council. Niinistö said he has himself tried to instigate outside interest and mentioned China and Japan as countries keenly following the work.