President Stubb acknowledged foreign policy disagreements: “Finland’s line is crystal clear”

President of the Republic Alexander Stubb visited Brussels on Tuesday.

He met the King of Belgium Philippen NATO Secretary General Mark Rutten and the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Rob Bauerin.

“The most important thing in all the discussions was the respect for Finland as a NATO member country. Over the years, we have built trust capital, which can be seen and heard now,” Stubb said after the meetings.

According to him, a lot is expected of Finland in NATO. In the EU, Finland is a small member country, but in NATO Finland is a medium-sized member country from the point of view of defense capability.

“We are a producer of security, not a consumer.”

Stubb and Rutte discussed the implementation of the decisions of the NATO summit in Washington, strengthening deterrence and defense and supporting Ukraine.

“Finland’s NATO integration has gotten off to an excellent start. Finland became a member of NATO during the count’s time, i.e. just when NATO was being reformed,” Stubb stated.

He said that he had talked with Rutte about the new NATO, NATO 3.0. According to him, NATO 1.0 was founded in 1949 as a military alliance that served as a deterrent to the Soviet Union. NATO 2.0 was born in the search period after the Cold War. Many NATO member countries began to reduce their own defense and arms industry.

NATO 3.0 began to be built when Russia started its war of aggression in Ukraine. It was understood in NATO that the security environment has changed radically.

“In NATO 3.0, defense and deterrence are taken towards the biggest security threat, that is, Russia. This means troops, weapons, improved organization and integration of operations,” Stubb stated.

Opinions are allowed, but only one line

The ranks of Finland’s foreign policy have been cracking lately.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah (kd) left a dissenting opinion on Finland’s UN voting position at the meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Foreign and Security Policy and the President of the Republic.

At the UN, Finland voted in favor of declaring Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories illegal.

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Development was also discussed at the Tp-utva meeting Town Tavion (ps.) about the decision, due to which Finland did not join the equality alliance for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Stubb stated in Brussels that tp-utva discussions are confidential.

“My point of view is that in Finland there can be different opinions on foreign and security policy issues, but only one line.”

Sdp, Vasemistoliitto and the Greens said on Tuesday that they will submit a motion of no confidence to Tavio and the entire government.

Stubb stated that it is not the president’s job to interfere in any form with the opposition’s parliamentary right to present a motion of no confidence.

He said there are difficult issues of identity politics that affect politicians’ decision-making. These include, for example, the status of sexual minorities and the issue of Israel.

“In my opinion, Finland’s line is crystal clear, because it is defined in Finland’s foreign and security policy statement.”

Rutte praised the Finnish armed forces

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Finland in his speech.

According to him, Finland has a very capable armed forces. Finland spends more money on defense than NATO’s recommendation, which is two percent in relation to gross national product.

“I am pleased that you are hosting the new NATO Combatant Division and Ground Force Headquarters, which will lead NATO’s land operations in your region. All these actions will strengthen our defense on the eastern side and in the north.”

Stubb was the first leader of a NATO country that Rutte met in the role of Secretary General. Rutte started in his position last week and traveled to Ukraine to meet the president Volodymyr Zelenskyia.

The Ramstein Group, which coordinates Western arms aid to Ukraine, is scheduled to meet this weekend in Germany. However, holding the meeting is not certain.

President of the United States Joe Biden canceled his participation in the meeting on Tuesday due to Hurricane Milton approaching Florida.