We must keep a cool head in crisis period: President

President Sauli Niinistö on Thursday said that it is important to keep a cool head and to assess with care the impact of past and possible future changes on our security with care.

“In the midst of an acute crisis, however, it is particularly important to keep a cool head and to assess with care the impact of past and possible future changes on our security – not hesitating, but with care,” said Niinistö in a statement issued by the President Office.

According to the statement, the President convened a meeting of the chairs of parties elected to Parliament, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and the chairs of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees on Wednesday.

“Together with the Commander of the Defence Forces, we had a serious discussion about Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the effects of the ongoing war on Finland’s security and Finland’s foreign and security policy,” said the President, adding, “our security environment is now undergoing rapid and extreme change.”

“I fully understand the concern felt by Finns and the need to react to the situation. We unceasingly do this work for the security of Finland and Finns. Our common understanding of shared responsibility has become even stronger since yesterday ( Wednesday),” he said.

Meanwhile, President Sauli Niinistö will make a working visit to the United States and meet is United States counterpart Joseph R. Biden in Washington D.C. on Friday, said the President Official in a separate press release on Thursday.

At the meeting, scheduled to be held in the White House, the Presidents will discuss Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the effects of the war on the European security order, and bilateral cooperation between Finland and the United States.

In addition to meeting Biden, Niinistö’s will meet with several political actors, the press release added.