S2.2 Prepared or Not? Lessons from Finland on Russia and security ft. Sauli Niinistö

As Europe faces an increasingly uncertain security environment, are we truly prepared for what lies ahead?Joining host Aoife White is Sauli Niinistö, Former President of Finland, who reflects on how Europe’s mindset on security has shifted.Drawing on Finland’s long history of navigating relations with Russia, Niinistö shares practical lessons on resilience, preparedness and deterrence and highlights the importance of being ready not just for military threats, but also for hybrid challenges. While public concern about security is rising across Europe, Niinistö stresses that awareness must translate into action. A stronger Europe, he argues, is essential not only to deter conflict, but to maintain peace.The conversation also explores the future of European defence, the role of NATO and the need for a more coordinated — and potentially broader — European security framework. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.