The 'Finlandization' of Joe Biden

“The visit of President Biden to Finland was surprising, praised, but most of all, historical.

Finland had just become a NATO member, and here he was in the Presidential Palace, standing inside the sealed area, in the State Hall, on early Thursday evening: President Joe Biden of the United States, the head of the most powerful country in the military alliance.

But is the U.S. going to stay in the alliance in the foreseeable future as well? This was on the mind of one Finnish journalist, who referred to the “political instability” in the U.S. and asked if it could cause problems in the future.

“As sure as anything can possibly be said about American foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO—connected to NATO, beginning, middle, and end.  We’re a transatlantic partnership.  That’s what I’ve said,” Biden said with a voice that in many journalists’ ears sounded a bit angry, no matter if you came from America, Asia, or a country in the Nordics.

“THIS QUESTION MADE BIDEN LOOSE HIS TEMPER,” screamed one headline of the Finnish yellow press following the visit.

“What’s wrong with this guy?” asked an elderly lady from an older man standing in line at a local supermarket while reading the headlines next to the counter.

“I don’t know, Hulda, maybe it’s the reporters who got it wrong? Maybe they are looking for a SCANDAL?”

Without digging too deep into the domestic politics of the United States of America, this reference to “political instability” wore the undertones of the former U.S. president, Donald Trump’s, repeated remarks in 2019 that the U.S. should pull out of NATO. In some circles, former president Trump is considered a legitimate candidate in the next presidential elections.

There were hundreds of journalists in the palace, but only a few were allowed to ask. In fact, it seemed that the presidents were able to hand-pick who would get the question. There were hardly any surprises: large media corporations such as The Wall Street Journal or the Finnish National Broadcaster, YLE got to ASK.

“My question is for Mr. President Biden,” asked one Finnish journalist from a large daily newspaper.

“Okay,” said Biden, laughing.

“Or should I just say President Biden?” the journalist continued, laughing as well.

“You have repeatedly talked about Finlandization becoming NATOization of Finland.  Now, based on your … ”

“Sorry, I … what nation?

“You have repeatedly talked about Finlandization …“

“Oh, I see.”

“ … becoming NATOization of Finland,” the reporter continued with the question. “Based on your long experience, how does that change Finland’s place in the world?”

Well, first of all, “Biden said, “the context in which I said that was: The gentleman who occupies a seat on the other side of the—your border, in Moscow, said he wanted—I said he wanted the Findalization [Finlandization] of NATO. I said it was more likely he’s going to get the NATOization of Finland.  That’s what … that’s the context in which that was said.”

“And what was the second part of your question?”

Every other question seemed to vanish in the air, and Biden repeatedly had to ask for it again, which made some journalists sweaty.

“Do they have bad acoustics in this place?” one journalist whispered to another.

“I am not sure. Maybe he has problems with hearing?”

Arrangements for President Biden’s visit began already earlier in the week.

Manhole covers were welded shut, which for one thing, according to experts, was done to prevent any high-speeding vehicles to avoid damage when rolling through the city center designed for a 30 kilometers per hour speed limit.

Helicopters of the Finnish Border Guard were thundering in the sky. The Coast Guard blocked the sea, and a vessel of the police was anchored in front of the palace. Streets were sealed off by army trucks.

There were people with guns on the roofs in the city center. Large crowds eager to see a glimpse of the president’s entourage of about 50 cars were lurking in the street as near the palace as possible, which wasn’t very near.

Earlier on Thursday, Biden’s personnel were seen exiting the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Helsinki’s Kamppi district to buy groceries in a corner store near their place of accommodation, which was reserved for them and the president.

People wearing suits and sunglasses entered the store, said a salesperson to a Finnish tabloid.

“They bought Coca-Cola and Pringles.”

When President Biden arrived at the Presidential Palace somewhat 10 minutes late of their schedule (for comparison President Putin could be as much as four hours late), on early Thursday afternoon, he at first had bilateral discussions with President Niinistö.

Later, he joined a summit with the Nordic leaders, which included President Niinistö and the prime ministers of the Nordic countries. (For clarity, the Finnish prime minister did not take part in the discussions to avoid an uncomfortable situation where Finland would speak with two voices.)

The results of the summit were revealed without a press conference in a statement.

“The Nordic countries also noted their appreciation for the continued U.S. commitment to transatlantic, European and Northern European security, and they stand ready to deepen their security and defense cooperation with the United States,” one paragraph noted.

A station wagon was driving back and forth on a road near the palace after Biden had arrived. The road was unblocked for traffic to the Southern Harbor.

The wagon was pulling a trailer that carried a mobile billboard that said: “JESUS SAVES. PRESIDENT BIDEN WELCOME TO FINLAND.”

Later the car was parked in the middle of the Senate Square, close to the palace.

A man with dark sunglasses and wearing a dark T-shirt that had the print “JESUS 01” on the back was walking back and forth next to the car while thumbing a cell phone with a shaking hand.

“Look at this!” he screamed to himself and another man walking next to him.

“My billboard is featured here,” he continued while tapping the phone with his forefinger.

“MILLIONS will see it. Do you understand? MILLIONS!