According to the researcher, President Niinistö has consistently spoken about the big risks of war.
President Sauli Niinistön concern about a possible major or nuclear war in Ukraine has spread abroad. The risk of war expansion presented by Niinistö was written over the weekend in an influential American newspaper, in the New York Times.
– We are in a very sensitive situation where even small things can change things a lot and unfortunately for the worse. It is the risk of large-scale warfare, Niinistö commented to the New York Times, referring to pieces of a Russian drone that fell in Romania.
– The risk that nuclear weapons could be used is huge, Niinistö added.
The interview was also quoted in Sweden Aftonbladet.
Niinistö also brought up the threat the other week in a meeting with political reporters, when he was asked about it.
– The risk that atomic weapons will start talking is absolutely huge. Yes, it means the end, Niinistö said at the time.
At the event, he did not specify, for example, whether the risk is currently greater than earlier during the war.
The researcher wonders why right now
For a researcher at the Institute of Foreign Policy To Henri Vanhasen the question arose after seeing Niinistö’s statement, why right now. Is there something going on that we don’t know about yet?
Niinistö has access to information that, for example, a researcher does not have access to.
However, Vanhanen has not noticed that there are any signs of changes in the use or preparations of Russia’s nuclear weapons. Nuclear powers can change the readiness of nuclear weapons or conduct nuclear tests like North Korea.
According to Vanhanen, Niinistö is consistent in that he has highlighted the risks brought by war. That is why he has also reminded of the importance of thinking about peace.
– By reminding of what is at stake also through extreme examples, it also emphasizes why getting out of the war is important. Then the risks of the worst outcomes are significantly reduced.
According to Vanhanen, the president is considering what he said. However, he estimates that instead of the increased risk of nuclear war, Niinistö wants to remind us of the nature of war. According to Vanhanen, the security situation could quickly become very unpredictable if Russia resorted to nuclear weapons. That is why it is worth reminding about the risk.
According to Niinistö, the consequences can be huge.
However, Vanhanen reassures that there are no signs of changes in Russia’s direction. Europe would also probably be warned about the changes, as the United States did before the start of the war in Ukraine.
– Niinistö probably also wanted to remind that the risks should be kept in mind, even if the threat of nuclear war seems small right now.
According to the estimates of the leading candidates in the presidential elections, the risk of a nuclear war in Ukraine is low.