Finnish President Alexander Stubb has stated that he does not believe Russia is planning to attack NATO countries.
During an interview with a German publication, Stubb addressed concerns raised by the German Defense Ministry about potential Russian invasion of NATO territory by 2029, emphasizing there is no evidence supporting such claims.
“First, I have intelligence findings,” Stubb explained. “And secondly, we have a deterrence – and this deterrence is stronger than that of any other military power anywhere in the world.”
Stubb further noted that NATO’s conventional forces, missile arsenals and nuclear weapons stockpiles make it unreasonable for any nation to test the alliance’s resolve.
He added that Russia remains focused on Ukraine, stating: “I simply don’t see that they could now suddenly mobilize forces for two fronts.”
The Finnish president also accused Moscow of waging “information warfare” against the West, claiming that “Russia wants us Europeans to sit here and discuss: Will Russia escalate? Will Russia attack NATO and Europe?”
Stubb reiterated his call for continued NATO support for Ukraine. Finland joined NATO in 2023 after abandoning its longstanding policy of neutrality.
“We have to understand,” Stubb argued, “you in Germany and we in Finland, that Ukraine is the best security guarantee we have against Russia. If Ukraine loses, we lose.”
Moscow maintains that a conflict with NATO is only possible if the bloc launches an aggression first. Earlier this week, Russian authorities informed the UK that military facilities in Ukraine could become legitimate targets for Russia if Kiev continues to use British-supplied weapons for strikes on Russian territory.
Additionally, Russian officials have previously warned that countries such as Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania could be considered complicit if they knowingly facilitate Ukrainian drone attacks against northwestern Russia, potentially triggering self-defense actions under the UN Charter.
