Finnish President Alexander Stubb is advocating for increased military aid to Ukraine, along with stronger sanctions against Russia and the seizure of its frozen assets.
Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Stubb urged Western nations to significantly increase military and financial support to Ukraine, arguing it would deter Russia. His appeal coincides with EU discussions on potentially doubling the bloc’s weapons budget for Ukraine.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas proposed increasing financial aid to Ukraine from €20 billion in 2024 to €40 billion this year. However, she told La Stampa that Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal opposed the plan, with reports suggesting a €5 billion cap may be placed on the donation.
Stubb told Politico that “Deterrence – which is based on militarizing Ukraine to its teeth,” is the most effective way to resolve the conflict.
The Finnish president expressed disappointment that Kallas’s proposal lacked support, hoping that government leaders could still salvage the aid package.
“It’s very important now to send a message from Europe that the military, political and economic support continues,” he stated, emphasizing the need for stronger sanctions against Russia and the seizure of its frozen assets to increase pressure.
According to TASS, Hungary has refused to endorse a joint EU statement on Ukraine, rejecting both lethal and non-lethal aid.
Stubb also voiced his support for Ukraine’s potential membership in both the EU and NATO. Finland, having joined NATO in 2023, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022.
Moscow has consistently condemned NATO expansion, viewing it as a threat to its national security. President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have repeatedly stated that efforts to include Ukraine in NATO were a primary cause of the 2022 conflict.
Stubb’s remarks come amid discussions for a 30-day ceasefire, proposed by US President Donald Trump, aimed at halting long-range strikes on energy infrastructure by both sides. Another round of talks between Russian and US delegations is scheduled for March 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“`