“I have not made or proposed any decisions. I have said that Finland can discuss how we could participate even more strongly in supporting Ukraine.
The Air Force’s 62 Hornet fighters that will retire in 2025.
On Monday, Marin faced several questions from the media about her statement in Kyiv last week. “I believe we can discuss the Hornets. Whether it would be possible to hand them over to Ukraine. And what kind of training Finland might need to help, he stated in the Ukrainian capital on Friday.
His statement surprised many foreign and security policy makers and experts. Marin had not discussed the matter beforehand with the Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen (Center), Commander of the Air Force Juha-Pekka Keränen or the president Sauli Niinistö.
However, Marin reminded on Monday that he has also talked about ways to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities at the European Council meeting and the Munich Security Conference. So there should be “nothing new or surprising” in the statement.
“I believe that Finland has the ability to participate in the supply [air defence] Help. The form in which it will take place will be decided together with the parties involved, he said.
The debate sparked by his statement is, in his opinion, a symbol of the looming parliamentary elections. He also emphasized that he has not been asked to comment on the matter by the international media, and he has not observed “significant discussion” on the subject outside of Finland.
Niinistö said on Monday that he had talked with the prime minister over the weekend. He responded to media inquiries with a brief statement emphasizing that national defense requirements are “crucial” for the Hornet jets.
Marin said the tone of the conversation was not the tone of the conversation, but declined to divulge his confidential conversation with the president.
Tapio Raunioprofessor of administrative law at the University of Tampere, reminded Helsingin Sanomat on Monday that the Finnish constitution states that foreign policy is determined by the cooperation of the president and the government. Although it calls for some degree of coordination between the two institutions, it does not require them to be unanimous.
“I suspect there are no constitutional problems here. I personally wouldn’t be too upset if the prime minister and the president put forward different views. That’s part of politics.”
He also estimates that it is positive that the government defends its role in foreign policy decision-making more actively, as presidents have shown a greater willingness to emphasize their role in the field.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page