Please join the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security on Tuesday, February 22, from 9:00 to 10:00 ET / 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CET for a virtual conversation with Esa Pulkkinen, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Finland. As the future of European security hangs in the balance, the Atlantic Council welcomes Mr. Pulkkinen to share his views on the current situation, the West’s response, and how principles like NATO’s open-door policy are viewed by a critical non-NATO European partner on Russia’s border.
Russia’s military buildup and ongoing efforts by Europe and the United States to deescalate through diplomacy while bolstering deterrence seem to have reached a crescendo. In this current crisis, NATO has increased cooperation with partner countries such as Finland and the Finnish government has stood strong in the face of increased Russian aggression against Ukraine. As the crisis has evolved, Finland’s experience as a militarily non-aligned country with a long border with Russia and speculation about NATO membership for Finland has drawn it into the headlines.
To discuss Finland’s perspective on the unfolding crisis in Europe and how Finland approaches its relationships with NATO and Russia as well as Finland’s defense policy, the Atlantic Council is excited to be joined by Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Defense Esa Pulkkinen for a one-on-one conversation. Register for the event by clicking the link below and follow the discussion on Twitter by following @AtlanticCouncil and @ACScowcroft.
A conversation with
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Secretary Esa Pulkkinen
Finnish Ministry of Defense Permanent Secretary
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The Transatlantic Security Initiative, in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners.
On Twitter? Follow the conversation with @AtlanticCouncil and @ACScowcroft.