Finland's president has a message for Russia as it inches closer to joining NATO: 'You caused this'

Everyone knows who is responsible for pushing the northern European country closer to joining NATO: Russia.

Sauli Niinisto said during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson that he would respond to Russia if it were to join NATO.

In late 2021, Niinisto said that Russia urged the military alliance to close its door to new members. He said that by making these demands, Russia assumed that Finland doesn't have its own will.

Niinisto said this realization along with Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine changed the situation because it suggested Russia is ready to attack a neighboring country.

Sauli said that joining NATO would not be against anyone, and that increasing Finland's security isn't a zero-sum game.

The UK signed security agreements with two Nordic countries to strengthen their defenses against Russia.

The UK can help defend the two countries if they are attacked.

As security concerns heighten due to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, both Sweden and Finland are likely to join NATO in the near future.