Finland’s Leader Leverages Biden Face Time to Boost Ties
- Presidents agree to tighten security cooperation at meeting
- More Finns back NATO entry after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
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Finnish President Sauli Niinisto met with President Joe Biden in the White House, signaling that he’s looking for a closer relationship with the superpower after Finland’s neighbor Russia invaded Ukraine.
They agreed to start a “clear process” to enhance security and defense cooperation, also involving Nordic partners, Niinisto, 73, told reporters after their talks in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Asked whether that means Finland has nudged toward NATO membership, Niinisto said his country “has moved to a much closer cooperation with the U.S.,” adding that refers to concrete actions “rather than any memberships.”