Russian online publication says Niinistö could cause problems for Russia

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The Russian online publication pravda.ru is concerned that Finland’s next president Sauli Niinistö could cause problems for Russia.
      In its Thursday edition, the publication writes that even though Niinistö does not hold speeches against Russia, the country still needs to be on guard. “Niinistö established his position as a politician who is not opposed to Finnish membership in NATO.”
      The publication reports on the outcome of Finland’s presidential election, but does not seem to be aware that the Finnish President has very little real power. pravda.ru writes that “Niinistö will lead the country over the next six years.”
     
The publication is not affiliated with the printed newspaper Pravda, which is still the official organ of the Russian Communist Party.
      In addition to the question of NATO, the status of Karelia is a hot topic for the paper, which sees that there may be “possible Finnish territorial demands for Vyborg, the Karelian Isthmus, and parts of Karelia”.
     
Pravda.ru nevertheless concedes that neither Niinistö, nor Finland have ever made demands on the mater.
      “However, there are well-known politicians who are demanding the return of those areas”, pravda.ru writes, but it does not name any “well-known politicians” who would have raised the issue.
     


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Niinistö: NATO membership awaits at end of European road (16.6.2009)

Links:
  pravda.ru article (in Russian)

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