Marin Reacts in Surprise to Niinistö’s NATO Stance
In February 2022, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin expressed her shock at President Sauli Niinistö’s stance regarding Finland’s NATO membership discussions. Marin revealed that after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she firmly believed Finland had no choice but to join NATO swiftly. This revelation came in her recent book, “Toivo on tekoja.”
Key Events Surrounding Finland’s NATO Discussions
Following Russia’s aggressive actions, Marin contacted Niinistö to discuss the expected implications for Finland. However, she was surprised by his response, suggesting that the discussions regarding NATO should be the responsibility of the Parliament. This reaction left Marin momentarily speechless.
Marin interpreted Niinistö’s comments as an indication that he believed the decision should primarily be handled by Parliament. She argued that the country’s leadership, including both the President and the government, must collaborate with Parliament to advance any NATO application, as the final decision lies with the Parliament.
Clarifying the Conversation
During an interview, Marin elaborated on the conversation, questioning whether Niinistö’s uncertain stance on NATO membership or the lack of clarity in the process shocked her more. In his book, Niinistö admitted that he did not have a definitive position on applying for NATO membership in early March.
Niinistö emphasized the importance of not revealing his stance too early. He stated that he preferred Parliament to deliberate on NATO membership and weigh the risks involved before making a decision.
Political Dynamics and Reactions
- Marin contacted parliamentary speaker Matti Vanhanen to discuss Niinistö’s perspective.
- Vanhanen recognized the complexity of the situation immediately.
- On March 2, Niinistö communicated with parliamentary leaders, solidifying a unified intent to pursue NATO membership.
Marin noted that the process began to clarify after Niinistö’s discussions with Parliament. The collaboration led to a feeling of commitment from all parties involved.
International Implications
The dialogue culminated on March 3, when Niinistö met with U.S. President Joe Biden. Biden endorsed Finland’s decision-making autonomy regarding NATO and encouraged patience with the membership application process.
Marin reflected on the initial weeks post-invasion, describing the NATO discussions as challenging due to diverse opinions. However, she recognized that swift action was essential for Finland after Russia’s invasion. Ultimately, she regarded the NATO membership process as a significant success, acknowledging Niinistö’s cooperation throughout this historic endeavor.
