Finnish Foreign Minister Warns of Russia's Growing Threat to Europe
19 March 2024 08:48
The head of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, expressed concern over Russia's growing aggression in the coming years. She believes that this aggression will intensify regardless of the outcomes of the so-called elections in Russia. She emphasized that Putin will use the so-called mandate received to escalate aggression.
Valtonen warned that we must be prepared for Russia to become a long-term and downright existential threat to Europe. The head of the Finnish Foreign Ministry had no doubts that Russia, by using its power, tramples international values and principles. Valtonen decidedly stated that "Russia, employing all its might, tramples international values and rules".
Valtonen stressed that Europe must respond to these actions. She noted that few people want to live "in a world where the boundaries of countries can be shifted and governments changed through pressures".
On Monday, Valtonen participated in a meeting of the heads of diplomacy of the European Union, the United States, and Ukraine. During this meeting, Finnish media asked her about the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine and whether this topic was discussed during the talk with the U.S. Secretary of State.
Valtonen answered, "Now is not the time for that yet, but no measures should be excluded". However, she did not reveal any details of the discussion with the American side, which previously opposed sending NATO troops to Ukraine.
Elections in Russia
Voting in Russia took place not only in the unlawfully annexed territories of Ukraine by the dictator. Workers from every part of Russia were brought to polling stations. The vote was often cast in the company of soldiers, police officers, or security services.
Source: PAP, Wiadomości WP
