‘s new NATO special reporter follows the progress of Finland’s application process and the international role of the defense alliance. Hentunen estimates that Finland’s eastern border is of great interest in Washington.
16.8.•Updated 16.8.
The company’s long-term foreign supplier has been chosen as ‘s NATO special supplier Mika Hentunen.
In his new position, he will monitor the progress of Finland’s NATO membership application and, more broadly, NATO’s changing role in the world. Pesti will initially be until the end of this year, after which it may be extended.
– The goal is to make Finland a member of NATO during the period when the employment agreement is valid, Hentunen grins.
Hentunen says he is interested in seeing what kind of NATO policy Finland starts to implement in practice. Does Finland follow the line of the Baltic countries or France? To what extent are eyes turned to Brussels and from there across the Atlantic to Washington?
– This is a big change for all of us. Military neutrality has defined life in Finland all my life so far, now we are facing something new.
Hentunen, who grew up in South Karelia near the eastern border, sees similarities in the present moment to his childhood. The Iron Curtain is back.
– I remember very well the tension during the Cold War. After Russia attacked Ukraine, it has returned there to the fabrics of the Salpa line, Hentunen describes.
A critical discussion is needed
Although Finns know the NATO principle quite well, in Hentunen’s opinion, there is little deeper understanding of the operation of the defense alliance. He sees this as a mission to familiarize himself and report what he has learned to his audience.
– As far as I understand, the NATO discussion has been quieter in Finland than in Sweden. Critical perspectives are needed. I hope I can bring them out in my future reports as well, Hentunen reflects.
He believes that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed NATO permanently. Now the focus is on Russia’s actions, but at the same time, the United States is turning its attention to China. President Joe Biden has defined China as the biggest security threat and challenger to the United States.
– It will undoubtedly affect NATO’s future decisions as well.
Finland’s relations with the United States will strengthen, both politically and economically, Hentunen predicts.
– Finland’s long eastern border is of great interest in Washington. Over the years, I have explained the idea of Finland and recent history there as best I can. I thought until February of this year that NATO membership was not a realistic option for Finland, he laughs.
Hentunen has worked in the United States as a correspondent for a total of ten years. The most recent was as ‘s Washington correspondent from 2017 to 2021.
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