Finnish president's plea for European support to Ukraine

Presidential newcomer Alexander Stubb implored European countries to stand by Ukraine on Sunday, according to a report from Turkish agency Anadolu citing Finland's National Broadcasting Company (YLE). The politician pleaded for bolstering the economic and military support and cautioned about potential severe repercussions that could result from any lack of action.

"If the West did not support Ukraine, it would fold," Alexander Stubb stated at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. "The only resolve (Russian President Vladimir) Putin dissects is strength. Expose any weakness - any susceptibility - and he will strike," the politician elaborated.

The Munich Security Conference marked Stubb's inaugural public appearance since securing the presidential elections. The Finnish leader underscored that Moscow must face the repercussions for its invasion of Ukraine, as well as for the demise of Russian opposition stalwart Alexei Navalny - as reported by YLE. Nonetheless, he conceded that achieving this would pose a tremendous challenge.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dubbed the Finnish political leader's allegations "self-exposure." Moscow remarked that no comprehensive forensic investigations have been embarked upon yet, Anadolu reported. Alexander Stubb is set to take over the presidential reins from the current Finnish president, Sauli Niinisto, in March.

Source: Anadolu