Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: nato.int.
France and Germany are the main targets of Russia in its hybrid war with the West, the Finnish minister said. This is reported by TimeUkraineIsrael with reference to Unian.
A call to action
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has spoken out in strong terms against Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling on European Union countries to increase investment in defence and take steps to deter threats emanating from Moscow. “I am ready to expect everything from Putin. It is time for us to grow up. Putin is a dictator who understands only force,” she said, stressing the need for active action in response to the Kremlin’s aggression.
Defence spending: new realities
According to Valtonen, in the future, EU countries will have to spend more than the 2% of GDP set by NATO on defence. According to her, Germany and France are the main targets for Russia in its hybrid war against the West. The minister also noted that the Kremlin is focusing on spreading disinformation to reduce the level of support for Ukraine among the population.
Ukraine and peace: a harsh reality
“No one wants peace more than Ukraine. But if someone thinks that you can stop the war by stopping the supply of weapons, I can only say one thing: it will not lead to the end of the war, it will lead to the death of Ukraine,” she stressed. This statement reflects the complexity of the situation and underlines the importance of continued support from international partners.
Criticism of Germany and strategic decisions
Earlier, Valtonen criticised the German leadership for its indecision on military assistance to Ukraine. The foreign minister called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to stop doubting the need to supply weapons and recognise his important role in this fight.
Supporting Ukraine: a key focus area
Finland bears responsibility for supporting Ukraine, stressing that European partners are not responsible for the escalation of the conflict, as they act within the framework of international law. The Minister also noted that Russia would not back down if its allies stopped supporting Ukraine.
In May 2024, Finland granted permission to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to use the weapons received from Helsinki to act against targets in the Russian Federation. This step confirms the determination of the Finnish authorities to support Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor.
