A new NATO debate in Finland?

In a speech delivered in Washington, Finnish Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies described Russia as the greatest challenge for the security policy of his country. Björn Mansson interprets this as an attempt on the part of the minister to revive the debate about NATO membership for Finland. "The people of Finland have let Häkämies know they think differently. According to a Gallup poll, seven out of ten Finns believe the threat posed by Russia remains unchanged despite the political situation there, two out of ten think it has increased and one sees it as having diminished. Although Häkämies talked of challenges and not of threats, the result doesn't confirm his one-sided analysis of the situation. It's a good thing Häkämies himself admitted yesterday that his statement wasn't particularly accurate. The same survey found that only 25 percent of Finns support Finland joining NATO, while 60 percent are against it."

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