Sauli Niinistö and the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unexpectedly held a press conference in Brussels.
President Sauli Niinistö prepares a report for the European Union on how the crisis resilience of European societies can be improved.
President Niinistö and chairman of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen unexpectedly held a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday.
Von der Leyden says that he asked Niinistö for a report on improving the preparedness of societies and defence, because Finnish society is known for its resilience. Russia’s war in Ukraine has shattered many illusions, such as the imagination of permanent peace, the commission chairman said.
– When we look around, there is no room for imagination. The world is as dangerous as it has been for generations.
– We know that Putin’s desires do not end with Ukraine. On the contrary: Putin is talking about his historical task, and this is all too familiar to Finns from history, von der Leyden said.
Niinistö and von der Leyen describe the report ordered from Niinistö as a society-wide review of how to make Europe more crisis-resistant. The report covers both conventional, i.e. defense with weapons, as well as new threats, for example responding to cyber and hybrid threats. Niinistö is also supposed to write about the influence of people’s way of thinking ( Mindset ) on how societies would withstand crises.
Niinistö says that peace is the basic element of people’s lives. Europe must be stronger than it is now, because the strong cannot be attacked, Niinistö describes.
– I have been speaking for a stronger European defense for decades. Europe must do its part in NATO, both in terms of concrete defense and in terms of thinking. Now is really time to wake up, Niinistö said.
According to Niinistö, the war in Ukraine has already taught a lot. On the one hand, it is a conventional, i.e. usual, war with weapons, on the other hand, drones and cyber warfare are involved.
Von der Leyen reminds that each country has only one defense force, which must be able to respond to a wide range of threats. On the other hand, it is about the overall safety of society, which Finland specializes in.
For a long time, Finland has been promoting the idea that EU countries should improve their readiness to face crises in their EU influence.
The report is supposed to be completed for the needs of the new EU Commission. The European Parliament elections will be held in June, after which the new EU Commission will be appointed.
Niinistö’s term as president of the republic ended on the first day of March. He had not previously said what kind of tasks he intends to perform in the future.