Finland warns of long-term Russian threat and does not rule out troops for Ukraine

Finland's Foreign Minister, Elina Valtonen, has stated that sending Western troops to Ukraine is still a possibility, according to the "Financial Times". "This is not the time to send soldiers, and at this stage, we don't even want to talk about it. But in the long term, of course, we should not exclude anything," she declared.

Elina Valtonen, leading the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, believes that Russia is likely to become even more aggressive in the coming years. Valtonen suggests the so-called mandate, which Putin secured in the elections, will likely lead to an escalation of aggression.

The Finnish Foreign Minister emphasises that we must be ready for Russia to become a long-term and potentially existential threat to Europe. Her statement reflects her deep concerns for the continent’s future.

Highlighting the existential threat, Valtonen stated that Russia, by wielding its power, violates international values and principles. “Russia, utilising all its might, tramples international values and principles,” she remarked.

She added that Europe must respond to such actions. She stressed that few people desire to live "in a world where altering country borders and changing governments through pressure is feasible".

In response to a question from Finnish media about the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine, Valtonen stated that “now is not yet the time, but no options can be discarded". However, she did not disclose details of the discussions with the American side, which previously opposed sending NATO troops to Ukraine.

Source: Financial Times, PAP