Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo declared on Sunday that Russia represents a "permanent threat" to the European Union, highlighting the need to increase defence spending and continue support for Ukraine.
Petteri Orpo hosted a summit on security and immigration, attended by European Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas and the Prime Ministers of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Following the meeting, Orpo stated that the "the security situation has changed" and that "Russia poses a permanent and dangerous threat to the European Union and European countries."
He emphasised that "Europe's defence must be strengthened by all possible means, and we must explore all financial options," although he did not mention specific budget increases.
Kallas also asserted that "Russia represents a direct threat to European security," while acknowledging that "security encompasses different elements."
"We are witnessing various hybrid attacks across Europe, including acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, dangerous ghost fleets, GPS jamming, damage to underwater communication cables in the Baltic Sea, and the militarisation of migration," Kallas said.
Finland has accused Moscow of orchestrating an influx of migrants at its eastern border with Russia, with around 1,000 irregular entries in autumn 2023.
Orpo indicated that securing Finland's 1,340-km border with Russia – both an EU and NATO border – is "an existential issue for Finland, other EU members and NATO allies."
He also advocated for "continuing support to Ukraine for as long and as much as necessary."
