Biden is closing out his Europe trip by showcasing new NATO member Finland

President Joe Biden is concluding his European trip by highlighting the inclusion of Finland as a new member of NATO. The visit to the Finnish capital serves as the final chapter of Biden’s carefully planned tour, aimed at showcasing the strength and influence of NATO in the face of a growing Russia.

During a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö at the presidential palace in Helsinki, Biden expressed his belief that NATO has never been stronger, emphasizing the alliance’s fortification since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland’s recent entry into NATO has effectively doubled the alliance’s border with Russia.

Biden’s arrival in Helsinki followed a successful NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where allies agreed on measures that would pave the way for Ukraine’s potential membership. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the summit as a significant security victory, he expressed disappointment that Ukraine did not receive an immediate invitation to join NATO.

Significant conversations took place between Biden’s administration and Ankara, leading Turkey to reverse its objections to Sweden joining NATO. Reflecting on his trip before departing for Finland, Biden expressed satisfaction with the accomplished goals, despite Zelenskyy’s frustrations. Biden’s visit aimed to demonstrate international opposition to Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine.

In contrast to his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who cast doubt on intelligence reports and disparaged NATO, Biden has embraced multilateralism and stressed the importance of rebuilding international coalitions. With his background in international policy and extensive experience on the world stage, Biden is comfortable participating in summits abroad, emphasizing their significance for the presidency.

In addition to meeting with Finnish President Niinistö, Biden held discussions with leaders from other Nordic nations, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. Sweden is expected to become NATO’s 32nd member country after pledging increased cooperation with Turkey on counterterrorism and supporting Ankara’s bid to join the European Union.

The talks in Helsinki focused on closer cooperation between the Nordic countries and the United States on security, environment, and technology matters. This joint meeting of U.S. and Nordic leaders marked the third of its kind, with previous summits held in Stockholm in 2013 and in Washington in 2016.

Biden’s visit to Finland holds symbolic significance as the first time a sitting U.S. president has come to honor the country itself rather than as a neutral location for meetings with Russian leaders. In the Cold War era, Finland acted as a neutral buffer between the United States and the Soviet Union, maintaining good relations with both superpowers. However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and neighboring Sweden gave up their political neutrality by joining the European Union. Despite previous opposition, public opinion shifted in favor of joining NATO after the invasion.

Biden’s visit to Finland follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip in June, during which a cooperation deal between the United States and Finland was signed to advance wireless communications, including research on 6G network technology. This agreement is relevant not only for Finland, home to Nokia Corp., a global leader in wireless technology, but also for the United States, which seeks to counter China’s dominance in the mobile network industry through companies like Huawei.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NATO expansion

More about NATO expansion

• NATO Official Website
• White House Official Website
• Reuters Article on Biden’s Europe Trip
• CNN Article on NATO Summit Outcomes
• Finnish Institute of International Affairs
• Helsinki Times Article on Biden’s Visit to Finland