Finland on December 18 signed an agreement to enhance military cooperation with the United States, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the neighboring country over its entrance into NATO. The agreement formalizes greater ties with Washington in line with Finland's NATO accession in April. Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen, in Washington to sign the pact, hailed it as a "strong sign of U.S. commitment to the defense of Finland and the whole Northern Europe." "We don't expect the United States to take care of the defense of Finland. We continue to invest in our defense and share the burden in our area and beyond," he said.
Finland Signs Military Cooperation Agreement With U.S. After Putin Threat
The NATO and Finnish flags flutter over the building of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Helsinki.