Finnish President Sauli Niinistö believes that the country's application to join NATO is fraught with a "serious risk" of escalation in Europe.
"I understand very well that, for example, joining NATO may seem like our worries are over. But all of these alternatives involve risks that we must be aware of. At the moment, the main risk is the escalation of the situation in Europe", he said in an interview with the Financial Times.
Niinistö explained that NATO membership is one of the possible alternatives to Finland's current status. Another option is deepening defense cooperation with the US and Sweden. The President of the country added that both alternatives involve strengthening Finland's security.
