President, U.S. Senators discuss Finland´s NATO membership, Ukraine

President Sauli Niinistö on Friday met with Senators at Mäntyniemi in Helsinki and discussed various issues including Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the situation and prospects one year after the beginning of the war, support for Ukraine and Finland’s NATO membership.

After the meeting with U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Joni Ernst, Ted Budd, Katie Britt and Pete Ricketts, the President at a joint press meeting said that the clear support given by USA in March last year for Finland´s NATO membership was very crucial for Finland, according to a press release of the President Office.

Niinistö said that he had met Senator McConnell a total of five times during the past year.

According to him, it became clear during their meeting in Washington in March 2022 that the United States gives it full support for Finland’s NATO membership: “It has been very crucial for us.”

The President said that in the course of the year, discussions have often focused on how to end the war in Ukraine.

“We haven’t found a solution yet. But it is obvious that we have to continue our support for Ukraine,” said Niinistö.

The President also said he agrees with Senator McConnell on the need to increase production of armaments.

“We are not living in such a peaceful castle we thought for generations here in Europe.”

The Senators’ visit to Finland is hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to Finland, Douglas Hickey.