The majority of Finns want to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to Mika Lintilä, Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs. Mr. Lintilä told The Hindu in an exclusive interview that Finland would be “grateful” if India decided to negotiate between Russia and Ukraine, but that President Vladimir Putin is not interested in talks.
“We have a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, and the invasion of Ukraine has transformed our security posture.” It’s probable that we’ll make an attempt to join NATO this summer. Mr. Lintilä stated that “almost 60% of Finland’s population supports Finland joining NATO.”
“No one believes in Russia anymore.” “They promised not to attack Ukraine, but two days later they launched an attack on Ukraine,” he said. The visiting Minister is the latest prominent Finnish person to urge his country’s membership in NATO. Since President Putin ordered the “special military action” against Ukraine on February 24, public opinion in Finland has shifted in favor of NATO.
Russia has threatened “consequences” if Finland and Sweden join NATO, based on recent pronouncements. Mr. Lintilä stated that Russia’s warnings will not deter Finland from joining NATO since the Finnish people desire a security shift.
“Our people have told us that they want a large power like NATO to stand with us because they want more protection.” A war is raging in the heart of Europe, and it’s astonishing. “We are astounded,” Mika Lintilä added, citing the reasons for the pro-NATO stance in Finland.
Mika Lintilä stated that the situation will have an impact on food availability
Mika Lintilä also stated that the situation will have an impact on food availability in Africa and West Asia, where prices are projected to rise even more. He said that since the start of the war, Finland has reduced its reliance on Russian energy imports. Before the invasion, it imported a “substantial” amount of energy, but now only 5% of its energy consumption comes from Russia.
Finland is thought to be “relatively” less reliant on Russian energy than the rest of Europe and hence is unlikely to be badly affected if Russian energy imports are drastically reduced.
“People are willing to pay whatever price it takes since everyone has seen photographs of dead children in Ukraine,” Mr. Lintilä said in support of Finland’s transition away from Russian oil and gas.
Mika Lintilä stated that Finland wishes for a negotiated end to the war, noting that various leaders, including French President Macron, are working to find a solution. “Every country must do everything possible to bring peace and put a stop to this terrible war.” We would be grateful if India could assist us, but the situation is really complex.”
Mika Lintilä, along with Under Secretary of State Petri Peltonen, is on a visit to Finland. Both sides inked the Indo–Finnish Virtual Network Centre on Quantum Computing on Monday, which would serve as a forum for academics and industry participants to collaborate on upcoming technologies such as 5G.