Finland will do its best to strengthen NATO: Niinistö

President Sauli Niinistö on Wednesday assured that Finland will do its best to strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“Now we can focus on the future. I assure you that Finland will do its best to strengthen the Alliance,” said Niinistö at the NATO summit in Madrid, according to a statement issued by the President Office.

The President also thanked all the members of the alliance for extending so stable support to Finland what he termed as most crucial.

He said that there was an urgent need for that: for making this Alliance stronger.

“It begins in Europe. With Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, our security environment has changed dramatically,” said Niinistö.

He also spoke for extending unwavering support to Ukraine.

“As Ukraine defends its independence, its sovereignty, and its freedom, it also defends our common values. We must therefore be unwavering in our support to Ukraine,” said the President.

Finland is currently preparing its seventh package of military aid to Ukraine, he said.

“Maintaining our unity is crucial. It is our strongest asset,” he added.

He also believed that China could play a constructive role in ending the war in Ukraine.

“When we take a global view on security, we immediately encounter China. I still believe that China could, if it so chooses, play a constructive role in ending the war in Ukraine. But we also need to talk about our long-term reaction to the growing regional and global impact of China,” he said.

“The whole world is in turmoil. For a firm defence of our common values, we need partners beyond the Euro-Atlantic area. What applies to NATO, also applies to a larger community. Together we are stronger,” the President added.

The NATO on Wednesday decided to invite Finland and Sweden to become its members and agreed to sign the Accession Protocols.