President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö made a working visit to the United States and met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022.
After the meeting, the Presidents and the Prime Minister gave statements to representatives of the administration and Congress as well as to the media.
In his statement, President Niinistö called for swift ratification of Finland’s and Sweden’s membership applications: “Now that we have taken this first decisive step, it is time for NATO allies to weigh in. We hope for strong support from all allies, and for a swift ratification of our membership once it is agreed. I believe that the United States can set a crucially important example to others.”
The President also reminded that Finland’s NATO membership has not been directed against anyone. “Finland takes the step of NATO membership in order to strengthen not only its own security, but also in order to strengthen wider transatlantic security. This not away from anybody.”
Later, in his media event, President Niinistö described the discussions with President Biden and his administration as highly convincing in their support for Finland’s NATO membership.
At the media event, President Niinistö was also asked about Turkey’s demands for Finnish and Swedish NATO membership. President Niinistö said that discussions with Turkey have already taken place and they will continue. “We need to review what has been put forward by Turkey in a very straightforward way and then, after that review, present our clear answers.”
In addition to the discussions in the White House, President Niinistö’s programme also included other meetings with various political actors. At the United States Congress Building, President Niinistö and Prime Minister Andersson met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Democrat Leader Steny Hoyer as well as other representatives of the Senate and Congress.
In these meetings, too, the message was positive. “Everyone present spoke of widespread support, and that Finland and Sweden will bring not only a substantial defence capabilities, thus strengthening NATO concretely, but also otherwise with their model of democracy and thinking. This was also considered quite valuable” said President Niinistö.
At the end of the eventful visit, the President had a separate meeting with William Burns, Director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
President Niinistö’s statement in the White House following the discussions with the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Sweden on 19 May 2022
Media meeting (in Finnish) on 19 May 2022
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White house on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, together with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson, in the White House on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Meeting with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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At the Congress Building, discussions with both Democrat and Republican Representatives. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland