Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
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Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has declined to criticise the United States for its recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, stating that international law often becomes flexible in wartime.
Orpo made the comments during a press conference on Tuesday, following questions from Yle about whether Finland considers the strikes illegal. “Finland holds the opinion that it is important that Iran does not continue its nuclear weapons programme,” Orpo said.
The strikes, which targeted three nuclear facilities in Iran over the weekend, have been criticised by international legal experts. Martti Koskenniemi, professor emeritus of international law, described the attacks as unlawful under the United Nations Charter.
The UN Charter permits military action only in self-defence or in response to an imminent threat. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said all parties involved must adhere to international law.
Orpo acknowledged Finland’s long-standing support for international legal frameworks, but added that these rules often become secondary during armed conflicts. “Unfortunately, situations in war often conflict with these issues [of international law],” he said.
Other top Finnish leaders, including Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and President Alexander Stubb, have also refrained from directly criticising the United States’ actions.
Former education minister and current MEP Li Andersson (Left) said Finland’s leadership has shown a double standard in its approach to violations of international law. She criticised their reluctance to condemn actions by the United States or Israel, in contrast with their positions on other countries.
The issue has added pressure to Finland’s foreign policy stance, especially in its role as a member of the European Union and a recent NATO entrant.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
