Growing war threat at Ukraine borders worries Niinistö

President Sauli Niinistö on Wednesday expressed concern over the growing threat of war at the borders of Ukraine and the challenges threw by Russia to the foundation of European security.

Speaking at the opening session of Parliament, the President, however, said that even though there is no military threat against Finland, the situation also touches us deeply.

“We have serious concerns, both domestically and internationally. The coronavirus continues to test us. The threat of war is growing at the borders of Ukraine, and Russia is challenging the foundations of European security. And, behind these urgent problems, the common threats and challenges mankind is faced with, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, are left without the attention they would require,” said Niinistö.

He said that the geopolitical situation has changed rapidly. The list of demands presented by Russia in December aims at a fundamental change in the structures of European security.

“Even though there is no military threat against Finland, the situation also touches us deeply. The increasing military tension on the Ukrainian borders is reflected over the whole of Europe. No one can close their eyes to the situation. This kind of attention is also the thing Russia is seeking,” said the President.

Niinistö said that those Russian demands that are shaking the foundations of the European security order have been decisively turned down. However, diplomacy is still needed.

“Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the Normandy talks continue, still aiming at promoting the Minsk agreement. We can probably also find substance for continuing negotiations on arms control and risk reduction,” he added.

He said that the idea at the core of diplomacy is to find a feasible solution to an impossible situation.

“At the moment, this is something we all need to seek with vigour and promote with the best of our ability,” said the President.

He suggested that in this situation, Finland's first and foremost line of defence is found within the national borders – and between the ears of the people living here.

“We must be able to trust one another, to trust each of us to do our share, according to our abilities and capacities,” Niinistö said.

The President also focused the low overt turnout in the outgoing county elections held last month amid worsening coronavirus situation.

“Our fears of a low voter turnout were proven right by the county elections. The hastiest have wanted to interpret the result as a sign of a crisis of Finnish democracy,” he added.