President Sauli Niinistön recent talk of the threat of nuclear war has attracted attention. Niinistö brought up the threat of the war in Ukraine expanding into a nuclear war most recently of The New Times in an interview over the weekend.
– The risk that nuclear weapons could be used is huge, Niinistö told the newspaper.
He also lacked understanding towards the Russians.
The president manages Finland’s foreign policy together with the government, and therefore the president’s interviews and speeches are significant. The statements are even more interesting now that Finland is a new member of NATO.
British security policy researcher by Anthony Lawrence according to Niinistö, compared to other leaders, he has always been more understanding towards Russia.
– It is of course due to your history and your position during and after the Cold War, says Lawrence. He works at the International Defense Research Center in Estonia (ICDS).
Finland joined NATO only last April. During the Cold War, Finland had to balance so that it did not irritate the Soviet Union. The Finnish way of dating became internationally known as the term finnishing.
Niinistö “affects the more cautious end of the appropriate scale”
In an interview with an American newspaper, Niinistö states that ordinary Russians certainly wish for peace. According to Niinistö, it is a basic feeling for humans. Niinistö also states that after the war a relationship must be established with Russia, not necessarily a close friendship, but “even a little understanding of each other”.
– I think this thing [puhe Venäjän ymmärtämisestä] is difficult for many countries. Especially when Russia does not seem to see the need to change its own actions or, for example, to bring war criminals to justice, researcher Anthony Lawrence says in a video interview.
Lawrence also pays attention to Niinistö’s warning about the expansion of the war and the threat of nuclear war. Many are outraged by this kind of speech, because it can be used to justify reducing support for Ukraine or even leaving the country to its own devices.
Lawrence points out that, according to some views, the West has not done enough.
He emphasizes that the possible expansion of the war has been talked about every time the Western allies have planned new arms deliveries to Ukraine.
– There is a certain degree of caution and [tämän haastattelun perusteella] Niinistö seems to suit its more cautious end, says Lawrence.
Researcher: The statements should have attracted more attention
The head of a German think tank interprets Niinistö’s speech differently. by Thorsten Benner Niinistö has repeatedly reminded that the military threat against Russia should not be reduced.
For these reasons, according to Benner, we should now listen with a sensitive ear when Niinistö joins Scholz and Biden as leaders who remind us of the threat of war expansion.
– This is an important message from the president who took his country to NATO, Benner said by email.
Niinistö’s words did not get much attention in Germany, but they should have, says Benner. He works at the head of the Global Public Policy Institute.
Among the western media, Niinistö was mostly quoted by a newspaper Le Figaro.
It interpreted on Monday that Niinistö’s comment justifies the caution of Germany and the United States in arms deliveries to Ukraine. The newspaper points out that, for example, the United States has not yet agreed on the delivery schedule for the promised F-16 fighters to Ukraine.
The propagandists were offended for Putin
In Russia, on the other hand, Niinistö’s speeches were taken advantage of. In the most blatant interpretation, Finland has begun to regret joining NATO.
The Russian media RBK, on the other hand, quoted Niinistö’s interview on Sunday, highlighting Putin’s role. The media mentioned Niinistö’s story about Putin’s knowledge of poetry. According to Niinistö, Putin was the opening author in one of the meetings Mikhail Lermontov text by poet Alexander Pushkin about death long and hard.
This was taken up by Russia’s number one propagandists Margarita Simonyan mixed Vladimir Solovyov. In a Telegram video, Simonjan makes it clear how ridiculous it is to test the Russian leader on literature. Soloviev also shared the video message on his own channel.
On the Arkumenti i Fakty website political expert Marat Bashirov stated that Niinistö’s comments stem from the economic situation, which became difficult due to the sanctions. So Finland is in trouble, because it can no longer get raw materials from Russia, says Bashirov.
Ria Novosti expert Igor Kovalev on the other hand, downplayed Niinistö’s role in foreign policy. According to the Russian media, the Prime Minister of Finland is responsible for Finland’s positions, so Niinistö’s positions on relations with Russia, which are seen as positive, do not gain support in Finland, which is considered anti-Russian.
Ilta-Sanomat wrote about Russia’s reactions in Finland the other day.