Petteri Orpo says any future peacekeeping role for Finland in Ukraine will be limited owing to its shared border with Russia.
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Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) spoke to Yle on Saturday 15 February 2025. Image: Henrietta Hassinen / Yle
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Saturday said that while the United States is sending mixed messages, Finland must focus on peace in Ukraine, emphasising the need for US involvement in Ukraine’s peacekeeping efforts.
Orpo, who recently returned to Finland from the Munich Security Conference, said the US is sending a range of mixed and somewhat contradictory messages.
“Now that it’s all happening, it is confusing, but we need to stay calm and focus on what matters — peace in Ukraine and Europe’s security arrangements — rather than chasing every comment coming from the United States,” Orpo said, speaking to Yle TV1’s Saturday talk show, Ykkösaamu.
The Finnish premier said US Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, criticising European governments, has sparked discussion and surprise. Vance chastised EU states for restricting the freedom of speech and fearing their own voters.
“But when you look deeper, the big fundamental things are moving in the right direction,” Orpo said of US policy, noting that Donald Trump’s second presidential term has been exactly what was expected.
Finland’s role limited
In Orpo’s view, the United States aims to achieve a peace settlement by pressuring Russia into negotiations while ensuring Ukraine maintains a strong position at the table.
Orpo highlighted the fact that Russia’s goal of subjugating Ukraine in three days did not materialise. Instead, the war will soon have gone on for three years.
In any peace deal, Ukraine’s independence must be firmly guaranteed, according to Orpo, who also stressed that Ukraine must have the option to seek EU and Nato membership.
Ukraine should receive ongoing military support, both on the battlefield and in negotiations with Russia and the United States, he stressed. Finland has so fast sent 26 military aid shipments to Ukraine, totalling 2.5 billion euros.
Regarding potential peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, Finland’s role is expected to be limited. Orpo said Finland’s allies understand that its long border with Russia requires the country to focus on Nordic security.
The United States has said it will not deploy troops to secure peace on Ukrainian soil. However, according to Orpo, it would be important for the US to play a role in peacekeeping efforts in the wartorn country.
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Publish date : 2025-02-15 01:54:00
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