Defence Minister: Finland wants defence pact before US elects new President

Finland's defence minister Jussi Niinistö stated during an interview in August 2016 that the country was in a hurry to sign a defence pact with the United States before the US presidential election in November.

This bilateral defence cooperation agreement would cover military training, information exchange and research and does not include any clauses compelling either side to provide support during combat situations.

This was the latest in a series of steps the formally neutral Nordic country took to bolster its security in the face of heightened Russian military activity.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 23.08.16: Finland rushes to finalise US defence pact https://euobserver.com/nordic/134716

The Guardian, 22.08.16: Finland says it is nearing security deal with US amid concerns over Russia https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/22/finland-us-russia-military-security

ESO: Background information: Nordic security changed 'dramatically' by Ukraine conflict http://www.europeansources.info/record/nordic-security-changed-dramatically-by-ukraine-conflict/

Finland: Ministry of Defence http://www.defmin.fi/en

---