FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidates are pictured on election posters in Espoo, Finland, January 18, 2024. Lehtikuva/Heikki Saukkomaa via REUTERS
HELSINKI (Reuters) - Maintaining friendly relations with Russia used to be an important task for Finnish presidents, but Sunday's election of a new leader will mark an unprecedented hardening of their approach towards the old neighbour.
For the first time since World War Two, Finland's presidential hopefuls are competing to present the toughest stance against Russia during their campaigns, aiming to please voters who perceive Russia's behaviour towards its neighbours as hostile and aggressive, political analysts said.
