Putin reiterates opposition to Finnish membership in NATO

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Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Finland’s possible membership in NATO would not be good for relations between Russia and Finland. Speaking at an annual press conference in Moscow on Thursday, Putin emphasised, nevertheless, that the decision is up to the Finnish people.
      Attending the conference was a record 1232 journalists, both from Russia and abroad.
      The issue of Finnish-Russian relations came up when Helsingin Sanomat asked how Putin felt that possible Finnish relations might affect ties between Finland and Russia. Putin said that he is aware that "This question is raised in various political and social circles in Finland".
      Putin felt that it is clear that everyone knows Russia’s attitude toward military alliances in general, and NATO in particular.
      "We do not think that they enhance the improvement of security in the world", Putin said.
      In Putin’s view, military alliances are not capable of repelling today’s threats, such as terrorism, drugs, and trade in humans.
      "We can only solve these problems together, without alliances. And I believe that the Finnish leadership feel the same way. The final decision will naturally be made by the Finnish people and Finnish leaders", Putin said.
     
Relations between Russia and the United States have been strained recently by US plans to deploy parts of its missile defence system in Europe, including Poland and the Czech Republic - moves which Russia sees as being anti-Russian.
      Putin feels that the US missile defence plans are not in any way linked with the growth of Russia’s military might, noting that Russia’s defence spending is 25 times less than that of the United States.
      According to Putin, Russia is nevertheless planning a new-generation weapons system which no missile defence system can hurt.
      Putin repeatedly emphasised his commitment to democracy, and that of Russia.
     
Putin’s successor will be chosen in March 2008, but the President did not express any views on who that might be, nor did he reveal any of his own plans for the future. There has been speculation that Putin’s successor will be a person chosen by the present leadership of Russia, whom the nation will be encouraged to vote for.
      Putin emphasised that the President will be chosen in a free election.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finns increasingly critical of EU, NATO, USA, and immigration (9.1.2007)
  Sweden more positive than Finland toward NATO Reaction Force (11.12.2007)
  Finland - important to Russia, not to USA (28.11.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat