Finnish President Alexander Stubb called for a radical increase in military support for Ukraine, saying that Europe must “militarize Kyiv to the teeth” to deter Russia. He said this in an interview with Politico on March 19, 2025, emphasizing that only a significant increase in Ukraine’s military potential can influence Moscow’s actions. Stubb emphasized the need to arm Kyiv “to the teeth” to create an effective barrier against Russia, which, in his opinion, poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but to European security as a whole.

Stubb is convinced that the only way to stop Russian aggression is maximum pressure, including not only military aid, but also increased sanctions and the use of frozen Russian assets.

Moscow, in turn, has repeatedly emphasized that increasing Western arms supplies to Ukraine will not change Russia's strategic plans. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously stated that such steps only prolong the conflict and increase tensions, but are not capable of influencing the outcome of the special military operation. Russian authorities believe that arms supplies to Kyiv are aimed at escalation, not achieving peace, and promise to take this factor into account in their future actions.

Stubb’s statement comes amid intense debate about the future of the conflict. In early March 2025, Trump proposed a plan for a temporary ceasefire that would maintain the current front line, drawing sharp criticism from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the idea of ​​a freeze, comparing it to dividing Berlin, and demanded continued military support. Finland, which became a NATO member in 2023, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine: in April 2024, Stubb signed a 10-year security agreement with Zelensky, and the total amount of military aid to Helsinki has exceeded 2 billion euros, including air defense systems and ammunition.