Sauli Niinisto

Finland's president opposed to NATO membership

WASHINGTON -- Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has said that his country, balancing between Russia and the West, should not join NATO.

Niinisto maintains this position despite the Ukrainian crisis and calls from some Finnish politicians for the country to become a part of the western military alliance.

NATO accused the Kremlin on Aug. 15 of escalating the conflict in Ukraine, confirming an incursion by Russian armored vehicles into violence-ridden country.