Security guarantees for Ukraine hinge on readiness to confront Russia — Finnish president

In an interview with The Guardian, Stubb described the guarantees as a credible deterrent. “Security guarantees in essence are a deterrent. That deterrent has to be plausible and in order for it to be plausible it has to be strong,” he said.

He added that the guarantees would take effect only after a potential future agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, but Russia would have no right to veto their format. When asked whether European countries would actually be prepared to enter into military conflict with Russia, Stubb replied: “That is the idea of security guarantees by definition.”

Commenting on the U.S. role, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said his country must maintain maximum dialogue with Washington. “I think it’s the job of the president of Finland to get along with the president of the United States, whoever he is… Engagement is better than disengagement, come hell or high water,” he said.

Stubb added that for the security guarantees to be effective, an “American backstop” is essential, but there is currently no clear understanding of what commitments the U.S. administration is willing to make.

The Guardian notes that without progress in negotiations to end the war, discussions about security guarantees remain hypothetical. 

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said a full-scale war with Russia could conclude without a final peace treaty, emphasizing that reliable security guarantees for Ukraine are key to ensuring stability and preventing future aggression.