Finland aims to prevent overreactions by being flexible regarding joint exercises with NATO following its official application to join the alliance, as well as bringing in any new military equipment on its soil, according to Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

Finland and Russia share a 1,300-kilometer (810-mile) border and a tense history. Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine in a “special operation” and opposes Finland and Sweden’s intentions to join the Western military alliance NATO.

“Flexibility is most important now. To keep an eye on the situation, to not overreact or give anyone reason to overreact while still being able to react immediately,” Niinisto told reporters after meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington together with his Swedish counterpart.

Biden met with Nordic leaders to express the United States’ strong support for their NATO membership applications, despite Turkey’s threats to prevent the Nordic countries from joining the organisation.

According to Niinisto, Washington has offered Finland and Sweden similar measures to assist secure their security during the period when they are applying for NATO membership and are not yet protected by NATO’s mutual defence clause.

“We have very detailed information on what kind of concrete means or measures the U.S. is ready to offer if we ask for them,” Niinisto said, without going into details.

Finland would examine Turkey’s requests in response to Finland and Sweden’s ambitions to join the military alliance, he said.

“We have reason to go through appropriately what Turkey has expressed and then provide our clear answers,” Niinisto told reporters, adding he believes the matter would be discussed at a “high level.”