Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat interviews President Sauli Niinistö, who says that if he was re-elected in the upcoming Presidential elections in January, he would approach his second term through « three peaces ». By this, the President means avoiding wars, as well as maintaining the peace of nature and society. What comes to relations with Russia, President Niinistö finds that they are as good as they can be under the circumstances. « Under the circumstances means that Finland was the first to condemn the Crimea takeover and Finland has shown its support to sanctions, » the President adds. He declines to comment on under what circumstances Finland should join NATO. However, the President says that if Sweden joined NATO, Finland should consider its options. In EU affairs, President Niinistö does not believe that Brexit is a breaking point for EU. When Finland becomes EU president in autumn 2019, President Niinistö thinks that Finland should then keep mutual solidarity as well as security issues on the agenda.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 3.1.2018
Journalist: Olli Pohjanpalo
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö