Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said in an interview with Ilta-Sanomat that Europe should not rush into negotiations over Ukraine.
In his view, talks should begin only after sanctions and continued support for Kiev have weakened Moscow’s position. Häkkänen argued that European countries need to enter any future negotiations from the strongest possible position.
He called for tougher sanctions than those imposed by the United States, stronger European support for Ukraine, reinforced Ukrainian air defence and deeper bilateral industrial cooperation with Kiev.
Häkkänen also said a further escalation by Russia could not be ruled out. According to him, such a move could be aimed at weakening political, economic and military support for Ukraine.
The minister urged Finnish citizens to remain calm while preparing for possible drone threats. He also stressed the need to maintain round-the-clock intelligence operations, sensor networks, defence capabilities and overall military readiness.
Earlier in August, Welt reported that Russia could seek to expand its military capabilities along NATO’s northeastern borders after the conflict in Ukraine ends.