JOHN ROBERTS (CO-ANCHOR): A big move for Finland. That country announcing earlier today its intentions to join NATO, quote, "without delay." This following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin is threatening to take retaliatory steps if Finland, which shares a more than 800-mile-long border with Russia, joins the alliance. But Finland’s president says it was Russia who pushed his country to this point. Neighboring Sweden is also expected to make a decision on joining NATO in the next few days. So, what impact could this potentially have on Putin's war on Ukraine? Joining us is Mikko Hautala. He is Finland's ambassador to the United States. Mr. Ambassador, thank you for spending time with us this afternoon on short notice. We really appreciate it.
MIKKO HAUTALA (FINNISH AMBASSADOR TO U.S.): Thanks for having me.
ROBERTS: So Finland has enjoyed a fairly good relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia. I was at that summit that Sauli Niinistö hosted in Helsinki, back in the summer of 2018. This is a significant step that will forever change that relationship between Finland and Russia. Clearly this was in response to Putin's unbridled invasion of Ukraine. But walk us through the decision to get to this point.
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GILLIAN TURNER (GUEST CO-ANCHOR): Mr. Ambassador, John mentioned a moment ago that your country shares an 800-mile border with Russia. If you join NATO, it is going to essentially double Moscow's exposure and their vulnerability in the face of the military alliance. In a sense, this poses a greater threat to Russia perhaps than Ukraine even joining NATO. Are you prepared to face the wrath that Putin will now have for your nation?
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ROBERTS: Mr. Ambassador, let me put up on the screen the not-so-veiled threat from the Russia foreign ministry, that they put out in a statement. It said, quote, “Helsinki must be aware of the responsibility and consequences of such a move.”
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TURNER: Mr. Ambassador, your country, in recent history, anyway, has maintained relative military neutrality and a good relationship, or a relationship with Russia that's stronger than the United States, closer than the United States relationship. If you move forward with ascension to NATO, are you prepared to sacrifice that diplomatic relationship with Russia?
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ROBERTS: Mr. Ambassador, sir, one more quick question, if I could. Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia, issued a not-so-veiled threat the other day saying if Finland and Sweden were to join NATO, that it would have to rethink its security posture in the Baltic Sea, and that the Baltic could no longer remain a nuclear-weapons-free zone. Lithuania says it's not a nuclear-weapons-free zone right now.