live from london, this is bbc news. finland is to formallyjoin the nato, becoming the 31st member of the military alliance. we can declare that finland is the sist we can declare that finland is the 31st member of the t. —— of the treaty. former us president donald trump is in new york to face criminal charges, relating to alleged hush money paid to a former porn star this is the scene live in manhattan — where security is high for one of the biggest stories

of the year... let's cross live to brussels. finline has become the 31st member of nato and nato secretary general jens stoltenberg is holding a press conference. let'sjoin it. at jens stoltenberg is holding a press conference. let's join it.— conference. let's 'oin it. at times like this friends _ conference. let's join it. at times like this friends and _ conference. let's join it. at times like this friends and allies - conference. let's join it. at times like this friends and allies are - like this friends and allies are more important than ever and a fenland now has the strongest friends and allies in the world. president putin wanted to slam nato's today we show the world that he failed. that aggression and intimidation do not work. instead of less nato, he has achieved the opposite, more nato. and our door remains firmly open. thank you for

your outstanding leadership and commitment, president, and for leading finland into the most successful alliance in history. so welcome, welcome to the alliance. thank you, it is great to be here. as secretary _ thank you, it is great to be here. as secretary generaljens said, i want _ as secretary generaljens said, i want to— as secretary generaljens said, i want to thank you, you have been with us_ want to thank you, you have been with us all— want to thank you, you have been with us all the way. i remember we discussed _ with us all the way. i remember we discussed quite deeply about nato, and finline's membership already in 2021. _ and finline's membership already in 2021, and _ and finline's membership already in 2021, and i— and finline's membership already in 2021, and i guess we have been talking — 2021, and i guess we have been talking after that by phone and by meeting _ talking after that by phone and by meeting almost tens of times. so it is a great _ meeting almost tens of times. so it is a great day for finland, and i want _ is a great day for finland, and i want to— is a great day for finland, and i want to see _ is a great day for finland, and i want to see that it is an important day for— want to see that it is an important day for nato, also. security and

stability— day for nato, also. security and stability are those elements which we feel— stability are those elements which we feel very strongly. and, well, we can all_ we feel very strongly. and, well, we can all think— we feel very strongly. and, well, we can all think that, if people can live in— can all think that, if people can live in secure, stable circumstances, that's the basic element — circumstances, that's the basic element of happy life, and i guess you know— element of happy life, and i guess you know that the finns are very happy— you know that the finns are very happy now _ you know that the finns are very happy now. i would also see that this is— happy now. i would also see that this is a — happy now. i would also see that this is a process from 30, up to 31, and like _ this is a process from 30, up to 31, and like you — this is a process from 30, up to 31, and like you said, ended very nearby future, _ and like you said, ended very nearby future, up _ and like you said, ended very nearby future, up to— and like you said, ended very nearby future, up to 32, that is the very for swedish— future, up to 32, that is the very for swedish membership. very hard. we are _ for swedish membership. very hard. we are doing that together with them, _ we are doing that together with them, together with you, and that will continue. from the finnish

point, — will continue. from the finnish point, also, _ will continue. from the finnish point, also, swedish membership is most _ point, also, swedish membership is most important. but stability and security, — most important. but stability and security, i— most important. but stability and security, i wish that we can keep our share — security, i wish that we can keep our share of— security, i wish that we can keep our share of increasing that indeed. that deep— our share of increasing that indeed. that deep defence alliance we have. we have _ that deep defence alliance we have. we have time for a few questions, please. mr we have time for a few questions, lease. ~ , ., , ., . please. mr president, how historic is this moment? _ please. mr president, how historic is this moment? you _ please. mr president, how historic is this moment? you were - please. mr president, how historic is this moment? you were born, l please. mr president, how historic - is this moment? you were born, 1948, nato was _ is this moment? you were born, 1948, nato was established, _ is this moment? you were born, 1948, nato was established, 1949. _ is this moment? you were born, 1948, nato was established, 1949. i- is this moment? you were born,1948, nato was established, 1949. [will- nato was established, 1949. i will have my 35 _ nato was established, 1949. i will have my 35 years _ nato was established, 1949. i will have my 35 years a _ nato was established, 1949. have my 35 years a birthday nato was established, 1949.“ have my 35 years a birthday today and nate — have my 35 years a birthday today and nato comes next year, but surely, — and nato comes next year, but surely, we _ and nato comes next year, but surely, we have seen many, you have described _ surely, we have seen many, you have

described many moments as being historic— described many moments as being historic in— described many moments as being historic in this process. i guess this is— historic in this process. i guess this is the _ historic in this process. i guess this is the day most historic to us and to— this is the day most historic to us and to our— this is the day most historic to us and to our partners, t. —— too. the and to our partners, t. -- too. the lady behind. _ and to our partners, t. -- too. the lady behind, with _ and to our partners, t. —— too. tie: lady behind, with the and to our partners, t. —— too. tug; lady behind, with the microphone. how can finland help sweden to get into nato— how can finland help sweden to get into nato and — how can finland help sweden to get into nato and how _ how can finland help sweden to get into nato and how will _ how can finland help sweden to get into nato and how will nato - how can finland help sweden to geti into nato and how will nato proceed with a _ into nato and how will nato proceed with a swedish, _ into nato and how will nato proceed with a swedish, with _ into nato and how will nato proceed with a swedish, with sweden- into nato and how will nato proceed with a swedish, with sweden to - into nato and how will nato proceed with a swedish, with sweden to be i with a swedish, with sweden to be attied, _ with a swedish, with sweden to be attied, and — with a swedish, with sweden to be allied, and then _ with a swedish, with sweden to be allied, and then more _ with a swedish, with sweden to be allied, and then more question, i with a swedish, with sweden to be| allied, and then more question, do you feet— allied, and then more question, do you feel relieved? _ allied, and then more question, do you feel relieved?— allied, and then more question, do you feel relieved? yes, surely, from the result. — you feel relieved? yes, surely, from the result, but— you feel relieved? yes, surely, from the result, but i _ you feel relieved? yes, surely, from the result, but i want— you feel relieved? yes, surely, from the result, but i want to _ you feel relieved? yes, surely, from the result, but i want to tell- you feel relieved? yes, surely, from the result, but i want to tell you - the result, but i want to tell you that the — the result, but i want to tell you that the whole process, it hasn't been _ that the whole process, it hasn't been that— that the whole process, it hasn't been that path, in a way, we have had such— been that path, in a way, we have had such good cooperation old—time -- hasn't— had such good cooperation old—time —— hasn't been that tough. and at least _ —— hasn't been that tough. and at least futi— —— hasn't been that tough. and at least full trust we have in finland

all the _ least full trust we have in finland all the time. it has been clear that in due _ all the time. it has been clear that in due time, — all the time. it has been clear that in due time, we would be members, so, basically— in due time, we would be members, so, basically the process hasn't been _ so, basically the process hasn't been that— so, basically the process hasn't been that actually demanding, but surely, _ been that actually demanding, but surely, it— been that actually demanding, but surely, it is a relief when we can repeat— surely, it is a relief when we can repeat that _ surely, it is a relief when we can repeat that security and stability that is _ repeat that security and stability that is a — repeat that security and stability that is a relief for all of us. to sweden, _ that is a relief for all of us. to sweden, we have all the way been working _ sweden, we have all the way been working together with sweden. we continue _ working together with sweden. we continue helping them as much as possible — continue helping them as much as possible i— continue helping them as much as possible. i have been discussing with president erdogan many times and i with president erdogan many times and i think— with president erdogan many times and i think i have a very positive outlook— and i think i have a very positive outlook for— and i think i have a very positive outlook for that. just and i think i have a very positive outlook for that.— outlook for that. just to concur with what _ outlook for that. just to concur with what the _ outlook for that. just to concur with what the president - outlook for that. just to concur with what the president said, l outlook for that. just to concur i with what the president said, we outlook for that. just to concur - with what the president said, we are in close contact with president erdogan and ankara, i went to ankara

a few weeks ago, and that was when we agreed on the way forward, when it comes to this final ratification of finland, but also we agreed to restart the process in what we call the trilateral mechanism with finland, sweden and turkey, to follow up on that tie rattle —— trilateral understanding that was signed in madrid. and now it is important to follow up and to ensure that one important element, which is actually to finalise the membership process not only for finland but for sweden, is fully implemented. and my message is and has been, also in my meetings in ankara, but that not only finland but sweden has delivered on the commitments they have made in that trilateral

agreement, so, nothing should hinder or be an obstacle, the final ratification of also sweden to become a member. this is a top ready for the alliance, this is important for the alliance, this is important for me personally, and all allies early that we should try to finalise the accession of sweden as soon as possible —— this is a top priority. so we will work on this and hopefully have sweden in, soon. one more thing, sweden and finland are applied together in may last year. injune, one month after, all allies, also turkey, invited finland to become members and so far, this has been the fastest accession process in nato's modern history. i also stated that the most important

thing is not that finland and sweden joins exactly at the same time, the most important thing is that they join as soon as possible and today finlandia isjoining and we are all sure that sweden can join us as soon as possible. sure that sweden can 'oin us as soon as possible-— as possible. russia always says the enlargement _ as possible. russia always says the enlargement of _ as possible. russia always says the enlargement of nato _ as possible. russia always says the enlargement of nato to _ as possible. russia always says the enlargement of nato to the - as possible. russia always says the enlargement of nato to the north l as possible. russia always says the | enlargement of nato to the north or the east _ enlargement of nato to the north or the east threatens _ enlargement of nato to the north or the east threatens russia. - enlargement of nato to the north or the east threatens russia. are - enlargement of nato to the north or the east threatens russia. are you. the east threatens russia. are you afraid _ the east threatens russia. are you afraid that — the east threatens russia. are you afraid that the _ the east threatens russia. are you afraid that the finnish _ the east threatens russia. are you afraid that the finnish access - the east threatens russia. are you afraid that the finnish access and i afraid that the finnish access and is a pretext— afraid that the finnish access and is a pretext for— afraid that the finnish access and is a pretext for russia _ afraid that the finnish access and is a pretext for russia to - afraid that the finnish access and is a pretext for russia to see - is a pretext for russia to see russia — is a pretext for russia to see russia surrounded _ is a pretext for russia to see russia surrounded and - is a pretext for russia to see russia surrounded and to - is a pretext for russia to see russia surrounded and to be| russia surrounded and to be threatened _ russia surrounded and to be threatened by— russia surrounded and to be threatened by the _ russia surrounded and to be threatened by the west? - russia surrounded and to be i threatened by the west? like russia surrounded and to be threatened by the west? like you said, threatened by the west? like you said. russia _ threatened by the west? like you said, russia has _ threatened by the west? like you said, russia has been _ threatened by the west? like you said, russia has been repeating l threatened by the west? like you i said, russia has been repeating that and it— said, russia has been repeating that and it president putin took it up very— and it president putin took it up very clearly in december 2021, and that was— very clearly in december 2021, and that was one of the reasons why the discussion— that was one of the reasons why the discussion in finland was, we don't want _ discussion in finland was, we don't want to— discussion in finland was, we don't want to be — discussion in finland was, we don't want to be at war, we do not want

that others— want to be at war, we do not want that others say what we should do and what — that others say what we should do and what we can do. i have full belief— and what we can do. i have full belief that _ and what we can do. i have full belief that nato won't close its doors, — belief that nato won't close its doors, but nevertheless, that was that the _ doors, but nevertheless, that was that the russians, in a way, try to create _ that the russians, in a way, try to create this— that the russians, in a way, try to create this fear around them. well, we are _ create this fear around them. well, we are not— create this fear around them. well, we are not in— create this fear around them. well, we are not in fear. and all this, the resutt— we are not in fear. and all this, the result we see today. leach.r we are not in fear. and all this, the result we see today. lady over there. the result we see today. lady over there- thank _ the result we see today. lady over there. thank you, _ the result we see today. lady over there. thank you, this _ the result we see today. lady over there. thank you, this day - the result we see today. lady over there. thank you, this day means | there. thank you, this day means a bi chance there. thank you, this day means a big change for— there. thank you, this day means a big change for finland's _ there. thank you, this day means a big change for finland's security. i big change for finland's security. how big — big change for finland's security. how big is— big change for finland's security. how big is this _ big change for finland's security. how big is this change _ big change for finland's security. how big is this change and - big change for finland's security. - how big is this change and what does it mean for us— how big is this change and what does it mean for us and _ how big is this change and what does it mean for us and for nato? - how big is this change and what does it mean for us and for nato? like - it mean for us and for nato? like the secretary _ it mean for us and for nato? like the secretary general _ it mean for us and for nato? the secretary general told, we have been on _ the secretary general told, we have been on board quite a long time. we

arem _ been on board quite a long time. we arem more — been on board quite a long time. we are... more than ten years, and now during— are... more than ten years, and now during that— are... more than ten years, and now during that time we have all the time _ during that time we have all the time been developing our capabilities of working together with nato, so the change is not that radicat~ _ with nato, so the change is not that radicat~ it— with nato, so the change is not that radical. it has actually taken place year after — radical. it has actually taken place year after year, radical. it has actually taken place yearafteryear, by radical. it has actually taken place year after year, by us getting closer— year after year, by us getting closer and the same fits with sweden, _ closer and the same fits with sweden, too, surely. in our daily life, _ sweden, too, surely. in our daily life. i_ sweden, too, surely. in our daily life. idon't— sweden, too, surely. in our daily life, i don't believe that people will see — life, i don't believe that people will see very much changes but, like i will see very much changes but, like i started _ will see very much changes but, like i started with, it is that i am sure that the — i started with, it is that i am sure that the finnish people feel themselves more secure, more that we are living _ themselves more secure, more that we are living in _ themselves more secure, more that we are living in a _ themselves more secure, more that we are living in a stable, europe, a stable _ are living in a stable, europe, a stable world, and that is most important for us.—

stable world, and that is most important for us. ude, finland will become a full _ important for us. ude, finland will become a full member— important for us. ude, finland will become a full member of- important for us. ude, finland will become a full member of the - become a full member of the alliance so it will participate in all nato structures, military civilian activities and also be at the table in all nato meetings and also have a vote, and be part of the decision—making within the alliance, but of course most importantly what happens from today on, is that finland will be covered by nato's ironclad security guarantees, our article five that says that an attack on one ally will be regarded as an attack on all, all for one, one for all, and the president is absolutely right when he says this has been a gradual development. spin —— finland and sweden are for many years been very close partners and after we invite them injune last year, they got a special status of

invitee and it triggered a process when he started to assimilate them into our military civilian structures but it is a different thing to be close and an invitee which is to be a full member which is the case more for land from today on. —— the case for finland. is the case more for land from today on. -- the case for finland.- on. -- the case for finland. thank ou, we on. -- the case for finland. thank you. we will— on. -- the case for finland. thank you, we will see _ on. -- the case for finland. thank you, we will see you _ on. -- the case for finland. thank you, we will see you at _ on. -- the case for finland. thank you, we will see you at the - on. -- the case for finland. thank you, we will see you at the flag i you, we will see you at the flag raising ceremony. we will be taking you to that flag raising ceremony imminently on bbc news. to give you a little bit of a running —— rundown on what was said by yen stoltenberg and the finnish present. over and one for all, a little bit three musketeers, if you remember that karting from the 805, from yen stoltenberg, but he spoke about the security guarantees of nato, if one country in nato i5 attack it will be as if all countries have been attacked and the defensive alliance

will come into place. the finnish president talked about what he hoped would get out of this for finland but he mentioned sweden a number of times, talking about the fact he is time5, talking about the fact he is working closely to help sweden also become a nato member. sweden applied at the same time as finland. he also mentioned a response to a journalist asking about russia, the pressure put by rush out onto finland. he said we do not want that others say what we should do and what we can do. i think it is a good time now to bring in christine ages an associate professor in politics and international relations at the swinburne university of technology — in melbourne. thank you forjoining u5 thank you forjoining us on a programme. fir5t thank you forjoining us on a programme. first of all, your reaction to the news that finland has a scientific on the 315t official member of nato.

has a scientific on the 31st official member of nato. thank you, es, in official member of nato. thank you, yes. in many — official member of nato. thank you, yes. in many ways. _ official member of nato. thank you, yes, in many ways, this _ official member of nato. thank you, yes, in many ways, this was - yes, in many ways, this was expected, as has been mentioned in the press conference. this process has been going on for quite a while. finland has had close relations with nato since mid—19 905. it was especially interesting here in the president talked about how this issue of nato membership was released from about 2020, 2021, and they have gone through some stages of reviewing the possibility of what nato membership would look like for a country that was, not to forget that when we talk about neutrality, finnish neutrality ended when finland joined the eu, and it's a treaty with russia came to some conclusion at that point. the interesting aspect here as well is thinking about this in terms of what this means for finland because

finland has a long border with russia of course, and once russia invaded ukraine what you saw was a massive leap in public support for nato membership watch was historically much lower, in 20 f 30% range. in that regard, there, too, that gave a lot of confidence and political consensus as well as public, around the issue that nato membership was coming at this particular point in time. let’s membership was coming at this particular point in time. let's talk about what _ particular point in time. let's talk about what membership - particular point in time. let's talk about what membership means i particular point in time. let's talk| about what membership means in particular point in time. let's talk - about what membership means in terms of the difference it makes within the country of finland, and that neutrality that we had got used to over decades. that's completely turning itself on its head. now is that going to change finland's position geopolitically? this becomes a _ position geopolitically? this becomes a very _ position geopolitically? “try 3 becomes a very interesting question. you have got the border as we have discussed, with russia, which presents a number of challenges. the

share, today, has responded by saying that they will be keeping an eye on the situation —— russia today has responded. so there is that aspect to this. but in some senses it is almost like a psychological shift in finland, whereby nato membership is seen now to be giving finland a level of security that it feels it should possibly have, the ironclad security guarantee that was mentioned by yen stoltenberg is part of this also and it seems to be a great sense of relief amongst the nato leadership that nato membership is done and dusted deal. the deeper question is, this is the early stages. and we don't necessarily know yet what the full shape of nato's finnish membership will look like. we have a number of different

issues going on here, also, relating to how russia perceives this as a threat to its own security, and russia has always said that if nato troops or materials stationed within finland that could present a serious problem here, d. finland has argued it is going to follow the norwegian and danish model of not having any of that based on their soil, but sanna marin and others have recently talking about putting no conditions on this nato membership and in that regard that question was left open, and in that sense, the way in which security is part of nato membership for finland, may mean greater control, now that they are part of the decision—making process, for instance. but we will have to see, because we don't know what

rush—hour's reaction will be. because we don't know what rush-hour's reaction will be. thank ou, it rush-hour's reaction will be. thank you. it has — rush-hour's reaction will be. thank you. it has been — rush-hour's reaction will be. thank you, it has been very _ rush-hour's reaction will be. thank you, it has been very good - rush-hour's reaction will be. thank you, it has been very good to - rush-hour's reaction will be. thank you, it has been very good to have| you, it has been very good to have you, it has been very good to have you on the programme, dr christian agius. you are watching bbc news. reporting for duty after clocking up more than 500,000 miles, most recently in dorset, it's patients, not passengers, who'll be looking out for this bus at its next stop in ukraine. we have a huge shortage of doctors in ukraine, but a mobile hospital like that can move from village to village, from small town to small town. the job of converting it is already under way. out with the seats, in with the hospital beds, while the donated military hardware may have grabbed the headlines,

medical help like this flight carrying both battle casualties and the sick who struggled to get care in the war damaged hospitals is also needed. this bus could be the first of many setting out on that same journey. you're live with bbc news. more of a breaking story this hour, that finland has become the 315t member of nato, to become an official member. it member of nato, to become an official member.— member of nato, to become an official member. it is an historic da for official member. it is an historic day for the _ official member. it is an historic day for the alliance. _ official member. it is an historic day for the alliance. the - official member. it is an historic. day for the alliance. the ceremony has been happening in brussels. the last part of that ceremony happened some time ago when the accession document was handed to the finnish president by their us secretary of state antony blinken. we are expecting the finnish flag to be raised together within the nato

flag. the president of finland will be present at that ceremony, and also, the chief of nato, jens stoltenberg. we're joined now by the ambassador of finland to the uk — jukka siukosaari — who is in the country's capital, helsinki. iam not i am not sure if you are able to watch pictures of this flag raising ceremony, ambassador, buti watch pictures of this flag raising ceremony, ambassador, but i would like to find out your reaction to this historic moment for finland. unfortunately i don't have the live footage in front of me at the moment but it is an historic moment for the hole do nation and political establishment as well. —— for the whole finnish nation. the european structures have started already in the 505 and 605 with nordic cooperation, and moved on with the

eec, the council of europe, the oecd, and finally the eu in 1995 so it is an important day for us. do ou feel it is an important day for us. do you feel any sense of relief from this? . ._ , you feel any sense of relief from this? ~ ._ , , you feel any sense of relief from this? always in this profession when a diplomatic— this? always in this profession when a diplomatic process _ this? always in this profession when a diplomatic process reaches - this? always in this profession when a diplomatic process reaches its - a diplomatic process reaches its conclusion it is extremely satisfying to see that happening. and also from the point of view of security, we see that the nato membership increases are security. it is a relief in that sense. we see nato as adding to the strong national defence that we have built over the years, and the threshold for russia to do anything against finland has certainly risen. what finland has certainly risen. what kind of impact — finland has certainly risen. what kind of impact did _ finland has certainly risen. what kind of impact did the _ finland has certainly risen. what kind of impact did the russian attack on ukraine have on finland as attack on ukraine have on finland as a country in terms of its security

environment, and the way that it sees itself geopolitically, within the european structures of? it the european structures of? it certainly was an awakening call, to realise that we are neighbour to a country that does not adhere to international rules, to international rules, to international legislation, and is ready to attack its neighbour aggressively. so, therefore, what happened in february last year with the invasion of ukraine by russian troops was a game changer for finland, but i would say that the political opinions and the climate started changing already before when russia uttered a language which meant that they would not approve nato's enlargement to the west which in our view was against the principles of european security, set out in the helsinki charter, in 1975, which state that every sovereign country has the right to choose its own security arrangements.- choose its own security arrangements. choose its own security

arranuements. ., ., , arrangements. we heard a pleasant sta in that arrangements. we heard a pleasant stay in that press _ arrangements. we heard a pleasant stay in that press conference, - arrangements. we heard a pleasant stay in that press conference, we i arrangements. we heard a pleasant| stay in that press conference, we do not want that others say what we should do and we can do. that is a basic kind of idea but it is fundamental, isn't it, as to why finland is taking that step, one of the reasons why. . finland is taking that step, one of the reasons why.— finland is taking that step, one of the reasons why. . -- indeed. and the reasons why. . -- indeed. and the military _ the reasons why. . -- indeed. and the military nonalignment - the reasons why. . -- indeed. and the military nonalignment which i the reasons why. . -- indeed. and| the military nonalignment which we have used as the term to describe a situation since 1995 when he joined the european union is now over, and now we are in a military alignment again. now we are in a military alignment aaain. ~ . . now we are in a military alignment auain.~ ., ., i. now we are in a military alignment auain.~ ., ., , . now we are in a military alignment aiainr ., ., , . ., again. what are you expecting from this military — again. what are you expecting from this military alignment? _ again. what are you expecting from this military alignment? we - again. what are you expecting from this military alignment? we expect| this military alignment? we expect that our own _ this military alignment? we expect that our own security _ this military alignment? we expect that our own security increases, . this military alignment? we expect| that our own security increases, but we look forward to contributing to the security of other allies and members. we have a critical national defence, we will strengthen the northern flank of the alliance with that, we will work with our own troops to be ready to help others if

need be, so finland, as always, takes its membership of any organisation very seriously, and is ready for all of the benefits but also commitments of membership. talk to me about support within finland. you are in helsinki. i'm sure you spend a lot of time there. i know that there is and has been quite a lot of support for this. do you expect that level of support to continue? i expect that level of support to continue? ., expect that level of support to continue?— expect that level of support to continue? ., . ., ., continue? i do. when parliament voted on membership _ continue? i do. when parliament voted on membership last - continue? i do. when parliament voted on membership last year, | continue? i do. when parliament| voted on membership last year, it was done with a very convincing, overwhelming majority of 188 mp5 out of 200. we have parliamentary elections here on sunday and the composition of the parliament did not change and all of the parliamentary parties were for the membership. so, when it comes to the political decision—making, according to the polls, about 80% of finns support nato membership and i do not

expect that to increase. irate support nato membership and i do not expect that to increase.— expect that to increase. we are some da s after expect that to increase. we are some days after the — expect that to increase. we are some days after the election _ expect that to increase. we are some days after the election in _ expect that to increase. we are some days after the election in finland, - days after the election in finland, there has been a change of government, what kind of impact do you think that will have on the way that finland views itself geopolitically, and in the way that this new military alignment will affect the country? to this new military alignment will affect the country?— this new military alignment will affect the country? to be precise, the government _ affect the country? to be precise, the government hasn't _ affect the country? to be precise, the government hasn't changed i affect the country? to be precise, i the government hasn't changed yet. we are just on the beginning of negotiations between the parties. we have a traditional coalition government. they are just about to start. but given that it was in favour of our membership of nato i do not expect that there will be any changes when the new government starts and it is quite clear that the fundamentals of philander's foreign policy will continue along the long line we have had for decades. �* , . ., the long line we have had for decades. �*, ., ~ ., the long line we have had for decades. �* , ., ~ ., ,, decades. let's talk about sweden. the finnish _ decades. let's talk about sweden. the finnish president _ decades. let's talk about sweden. the finnish president wrote - decades. let's talk about sweden.

the finnish president wrote in - decades. let's talk about sweden. the finnish president wrote in the | the finnish president wrote in the subject of sweden. jens stoltenberg said that because of the accession of finland, sweden will also be safer as a result butjoaquin is greenland to see sweden also granted nato accession, to see sweden as the 32nd official member? irate nato accession, to see sweden as the 32nd official member?— 32nd official member? we are extremely _ 32nd official member? we are extremely keen _ 32nd official member? we are extremely keen to _ 32nd official member? we are extremely keen to see - 32nd official member? we are| extremely keen to see sweden 32nd official member? we are - extremely keen to see sweden joining us as soon as possible. it is our most important bilateral partner when it comes to security. we have an historic tradition of closeness between both countries, both members of the nordic family, and as my president and prime minister has said, the finnish membership of nato is not complete without sweden being in as well so we will do our utmost to see sweden as a member of nato by thejuly summit. to see sweden as a member of nato by the july summit-— the july summit. let's talk about russia. the july summit. let's talk about russia- we _ the july summit. let's talk about russia. we have _ the july summit. let's talk about russia. we have had _ the july summit. let's talk about russia. we have had a _ the july summit. let's talk about| russia. we have had a statement the july summit. let's talk about - russia. we have had a statement from the kremlin, dmitri pascal, talking about russia being forced to take

measures to ensure russia's security. what is your response to that, your message to russia today? it does not sound different from what we have heard from moscow before. i can only say that finnish membership of nato is not targeted against anyone, we do it to maximise our own security, and that is the way we want to see it. we have a long border, over 1300 kilometres with russia, that border has been a very functional one. it has enabled the population from both sides to interact and trade and so forth. of course the situation is now different because of rush—hour's own activity and aggression against ukraine, and we fully adhere to the sanctions that, over time, ukraine, and we fully adhere to the sanctions that, overtime, of ukraine, and we fully adhere to the sanctions that, over time, of course we want to see that neighbourly relationship return. that will take

a long time, because trust on our side of the border is very much in short supply at the moment. let’s short supply at the moment. let's talk about defence. _ short supply at the moment. let's talk about defence. militarily, finland is advanced. you have as your defence minister said been investing in defence for decades. you have quite strong defence forces in finland. what he is explaining is that finland has a lot to give you nato as well as taking the defensive element of this military alliance. certainly. we have kept general conscription in finland which is not that common in europe these days any more. that means that in a time of crisis we can call to arms up to 280,000 men and women which is a considerable force for a population of 5.5 million. we have one of the largest artillery is in europe, we have invested in new fighter planes, in the new navy vessels and so

forth, so also in that sense, becoming a member of nato is not an issue, because we already fulfil the threshold of military spending. we will bring the ability to defend our own territory but at the same time we bring many new things as well. we are quite good in the concepts of comprehensive security, of resilience, of hybrid and cyber threats, countering them and so forth, so that is all some things that we are willing to share with our nato allies in the future and indeed what we have already been doing as partners.— indeed what we have already been doing as partners. ambassadorjukka siukosaari com _ doing as partners. ambassadorjukka siukosaari com i _ doing as partners. ambassadorjukka siukosaari com i want _ doing as partners. ambassadorjukka siukosaari com i want you _ doing as partners. ambassadorjukka siukosaari com i want you to - doing as partners. ambassadorjukka siukosaari com i want you to wait - siukosaari com i want you to wait there for one second, while viewers listen in. i believe there is a band playing at the moment. let's have a listen. band plays