Is Finland worried about Russian attack? ‘There’s no imminent threat', President Stubb tells Firstpost

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has told Firstpost that there is “no imminent threat” from Russia, adding that the country’s strong military, Nato membership and partnership with the United States ensure its security. “Finland is a security provider, not a consumer,” he said, in an exclusive interview Firstpost’s Managing Editor Palki Sharma in Helsinki on Monday.

Stubb dismissed suggestions that Finland’s decision to join Nato was rushed. “Not at all — it was delayed. We should have done it 30 years ago,” he said, adding that the country would not have sought membership had Russia not invaded Ukraine. “It wasn’t rushed; it was a good decision.”

Responding to European leaders’ warnings that Russia could attack within years, Stubb said, “Russia has imperial tendencies. Its goals are based on expansion, but Finland is not part of their plans.”

Hybrid warfare and drone threats

Stubb confirmed that Russia is behind some forms of hybrid warfare but cautioned against overreaction. “Yes, Russia is behind some hybrid warfare — like sending asylum seekers to Finland and cutting cables in the Baltic Sea. Our approach is to be cool, calm, and collected — we don’t overreact,” he said.

When asked about Donald Trump’s earlier suggestion to shoot down drones entering Finnish airspace, Stubb replied, “We have a clear protocol on this. We know exactly what is to be done. I don’t think we’ll have to shoot them down.”

Ending the war in Ukraine

On the broader question of ending the war in Ukraine, Stubb said, “Putin only understands power. There needs to be more pressure on Russia.” He welcomed Trump’s decision to sanction Russian oil and urged Europe to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. “We should continue military aid to Ukraine. The Russian advance is very slow — we are in a stalemate,” he said.