Finland Europe must be strong to stop Russia, says leader

Finland's president said yesterday that security guarantees for Ukraine, which are being discussed by the “coalition of the willing”, would compel the European countries that sign to fight Russia if it launched future military action against Ukraine.

- Shaun Walker

“Security guarantees in essence are a deterrent,” said Alexander Stubb. “That deterrent has to be plausible and in order for it to be plausible it has to be strong.”

Speaking to the Guardian in Helsinki before travelling to New York for the UN general assembly, he said guarantees would come into effect after a deal between Ukraine and Russia, and Russia would have no veto. “Russia has absolutely no say in the sovereign decisions of an independent nation state ... So for me it's not an issue will Russia agree or not. Of course they won't, but that’s not the point.”