Finnish Green MEP warns US policy poses danger to Europe

Finnish Green Party MEP Ville Niinistö has criticised Finland’s updated foreign and security policy report for placing excessive trust in the United States, calling Washington’s current approach “not just unpredictable but even dangerous for Europe.” In an interview with Finnish broadcaster Yle, Niinistö urged stronger EU self-reliance in defence and decision-making.

The Finnish government’s updated foreign and security policy report, published Thursday, states that “Finland has no reason to doubt that the United States is withdrawing from NATO.” Niinistö rejected this assumption, arguing that policy should be based on probabilities rather than faith.

“Policy should not be built on belief but on likely outcomes and measures that most effectively strengthen our security,” Niinistö told Yle’s Ykkösaamu programme. He called for clearer recognition of the US administration’s unpredictable nature, emphasising that Europe must prioritise its own defence capabilities.

US “deliberately undermining European unity”
Niinistö accused the US of actively working to weaken European cohesion, describing the Trump administration’s worldview as one of competing “imperial” powers, with Washington seeking dominance. He highlighted US support for far-right movements in Europe as particularly alarming.

“It is a historic shift that the US national security strategy now supports the European far right,” he said. “Their policy is not just unpredictable—it is outright dangerous for us.”

While acknowledging the US remains a structural ally, Niinistö warned that its political leadership no longer aligns with shared transatlantic values. “The US is taking steps that directly contradict our security and political interests,” he said.

Iran strike exemplifies US unpredictability
Niinistö cited the US strike on Iran as evidence of reckless decision-making, calling it a “colossal mistake” likely opposed by US military leadership. He argued that the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz had handed Russia an economic windfall—equivalent to a “€9 billion lottery win”—by easing oil sanctions.

“Europe’s golden moment” after Orbán’s defeat
The recent electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán presents a critical opportunity for the EU, Niinistö said. He urged the bloc to seize this “golden moment” to strengthen decision-making, including through qualified majority voting on security issues.

“Now we can make major policy decisions. The EU’s ability to defend European security will improve,” he said, advocating for the creation of an EU Security Council with expanded powers. Finland, he argued, should take an active role in pushing for such reforms.