Finnish President Stubb: Security Guarantees for Ukraine Must Include Credible Military Deterrence
Helsinki, Finland – Finnish President Alexander Stubb has asserted that any security guarantees offered to Ukraine must be backed by a demonstrable willingness to confront Russian aggression, effectively preparing for potential military intervention.Speaking to The Guardian newspaper in Helsinki prior to attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Stubb emphasized the deterrent nature of such guarantees.
“The security guarantee is essentially a deterrent measure.That deterrent must be convincing, and to be convincing, it must be strong,” Stubb stated. He clarified that these guarantees would only be enacted following a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, but insisted Russia would have no veto power over their terms. “Russia has no voice in the sovereign decisions of an autonomous state… So I don’t care if Russia will agree or not. Of course it will not agree, but that is not the essence,” he added.
The comments follow an proclamation by French President Emmanuel Macron last month, detailing commitments from 26 countries to participate in “security forces” in Ukraine, with some pledging deployments “on the ground, at sea or in the air.”
However, Stubb acknowledged skepticism surrounding the implementation of these commitments. When asked if the guarantees implied a readiness for European military intervention should Russia re-escalate the conflict, he responded, “This is the essence of security guarantees.” He also cautioned that guarantees lacking a credible military component would be “meaningless.”
While many Western nations have prioritized supporting Ukraine while avoiding direct confrontation with Russia, Stubb stressed the need for a shift in approach. He reiterated that effective security guarantees require “strategic dialog” to ensure Russia understands the seriousness of the commitment.
Stubb also revealed ongoing communication with former U.S. President Donald Trump, noting a close relationship developed through personal interactions, including golf. He anticipates a bilateral meeting with Trump next week, highlighting Finland’s role as a key communicator between European leadership and the U.S., despite its relatively small population of 5.6 million.
