Finnish President Alexander Stubb has warned that NATO must continue its support for Kiev, stating unequivocally that “if Ukraine loses, we lose.”
During an interview with the German tabloid Bild on Saturday, Stubb dismissed claims that Russia is planning attacks on NATO countries. “If someone had such a crystal ball – wonderful. But I just don’t see any evidence or facts for it,” he said.
The Finnish leader emphasized NATO’s deterrence capabilities, noting that “we have a deterrence – and this deterrence is stronger than that of any other military power anywhere in the world.” He added that given NATO’s conventional forces, missile arsenals, and nuclear weapons stockpiles, “it does not make sense for any power in the world to test the resolve of this alliance.”
Stubb also noted that Russia remains preoccupied with the Ukraine conflict. “I simply don’t see that they could now suddenly mobilize forces for two fronts,” he remarked.
He accused Moscow of waging “information warfare” against the West, stating that “Russia wants us Europeans to sit here and discuss: Will Russia escalate? Will Russia attack NATO and Europe?”
Stubb reiterated his call for sustained NATO support for Kiev amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Finland joined the bloc in 2023 after abandoning its longstanding policy of neutrality.
“We have to understand, you in Germany and we in Finland, that Ukraine is the best security guarantee we have against Russia,” he argued. “If Ukraine loses, we lose.”
Stubb also highlighted Moscow’s position: a conflict with NATO is only possible if the bloc launches an aggression against Russia first.
Earlier this week, Moscow informed the UK that its military facilities and equipment in Ukraine could become legitimate targets for Russia if Kiev continues to use British-supplied weapons for strikes on Russian territory. Additionally, Russian officials have previously warned that countries such as Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania could be considered complicit by Moscow if they knowingly facilitate Ukrainian drone attacks against northwestern Russia.
