The Finns were at crossroads, trying to decide whether to be closer to Europe and the West or if to try to join NATO while Ukraine is pushed to the sidelines.
In a statement, the White House stated that the leaders discussed NATO’s “open door” policy. This allows any Euro-Atlantic country willing to accept the alliance’s values or obligations and to apply for membership. Biden and Niinisto also committed to “start a process that will strengthen U.S.–Finnish security cooper” in consultation with other Nordic nations.
Biden tweeted that the leaders called Magdalena Andersson, Sweden’s Prime Minister, during their meeting.
Biden stated at the beginning of their meeting that it was not an attack on Ukraine. It’s also an attack upon the security of Europe.
The leader of Finland thanked the U.S. “leading in very hard times” and added, in brief remarks before the White House leaders began their private meeting, that “we will do our best to help Ukraine.”
For years, Finland and its neighbor Sweden have resisted NATO membership. Members of the Nordic European Union want to be neutral between Russia, China, and the West. The dynamic is being changed by the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Finnish broadcaster YLE conducted a poll this week that showed more than half of Finns supported joining the Western military alliance. Similar results were found in Sweden where those who support NATO membership outnumber those who oppose it.
Also, the attack on Ukraine has caused Sweden and Finland to abandon their policy of not giving arms to war-zone countries. They sent anti-tank weapons and assault rifles to Kyiv.
Biden thanked the Finnish president and its support for Ukraine. Biden stated that Finland is a crucial partner for the United States, and a strong defense partnership, as well as a NATO partner. The leaders also discussed energy security and climate change.
Biden joked that his boss, President Barack Obama used to say, “Leave everything to the Nordic countries.”
Niinisto replied dryly, “Well we usually don’t start wars.”
Finland shares a border of 1,340 kilometers (830 miles) with Russia. This has been a source of conflict for the country. The Finns have been involved in numerous wars against their eastern neighbor, both as part of the Swedish kingdom and as an independent nation. These include two wars with the Soviet Union between 1939-40 and 1941–44.
