Finland, Sweden deepen security co-op following Russia´s Ukraine attack

Prime Minister Sanna Marin and her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, on Saturday said that the neighbouring countries were strengthening bilateral security cooperation following Russia´s attack on Ukraine.

The Premiers at joint press conference after a meeting in Helsinki also assured that that Finland and Sweden are not directly under security threat at this moment.

Although they pointed out the changing scenario of public opinions in both the countries regarding NATO membership, they did not tell any new specific forms of cooperation with the military alliance.

“Our countries are not directly under security threat, but it is clear that we need to jointly assess our security, share our analysis and intensify our cooperation,” Marin said at the press conference.

Replying to a query, whether Finland and Sweden were seeking Major Non-Nato Ally (MNNA) status, Marin denied to say anything it this point.

She, however, said, “Finland and Sweden decided to strengthen interaction with NATO.”

Speaking at the press conference, Andersson said that they were strengthening security and further enhancing military spending.

Terming the Russia´s attack as an attack on European security order, not only on Ukraine, she strongly criticized the Russia’s invasion and demanded immediate withdrawal of its military forces from Ukraine.

Sweden´s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist made an official visit to Helsinki on Saturday and held meetings President Sauli Niinistö, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen.

“Today (Saturday) @SwedishPM and Minister Hultqvist visited Finland. I informed about my discussions yesterday. We have a shared analysis of the situation and we will develop our co-operation,” Niinistö wrote in his twitter after holding a meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

“Good discussions with President Niinistö, PM Marin and Ministers Kaikkonen & Hultqvist on security situation, EU matters & enhanced cooperation,” Andersson wrote in her twitter after meeting the President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

Earlier, on Friday, President Sauli Niinistö and his counterpart in United States Joseph R. Biden held a meeting at White House where leaders of both the countries vowed to strengthen bilateral relations, including closer cooperation in security and defense issues.