Ahtisaari faults Finnish leaders for Nato recalcitrance

Ahtisaari faults Finnish leaders for Nato recalcitrance

Ahtisaari faults Finnish leaders for Nato recalcitrance
Local Finland News In English

Former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari told the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) on Saturday that the country's current leaders were overly timid in managing relations with Nato and hinted that Finland's refusal to join the military alliance as a full member was hurting the country's image abroad. He went on to fault the Finnish Nato debate for a lack of faith in Russia's ability to change, adding this was an insult to Russians. "In no way is Nato a threat to Russia in this day and age," Ahtisaari said. "At times I am also vexed by the fact that we cannot be bothered to take the step to join Nato. In any case this is a key peacekeeping operation nowadays." Source: Helsinki Times