NATO question open, says new Finnish defense minister
Visiting Estonia, Fresh Finnish Defense Minister Jussi Niinistö said that Finland is keeping NATO membership option open, but the majority of the nation would currently not support joining the alliance.
Niinistö told ETV that for now Finland does not feel threatened by Russia, adding however, that the Ukraine crisis has shown this could change quickly.
The new Finnish government has promised to study the effects of joining NATO on the nation's security.
“When the majority of the Finnish population is of the opinion that Finland should join NATO, then probably political parties will take notice, but the current truth is that the balance of pro-NATO and the against camp has remained the same and a clear majority backs the current Finnish defense set-up – not part of any alliances,” he said.
Editor: J.M. Laats