NATO Secretary General: Finland takes security and defence seriously
The Secretary General praised Helsinki’s many contributions to NATO, saying “Finland takes security and defence seriously”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meets with Alexander Stubb, President of Finland
10 Apr. 2024.- The Secretary General praised Helsinki’s many contributions to NATO, saying “Finland takes security and defence seriously”. «You have long made defence spending a priority and we are grateful for the fact that when Finland joined NATO, yet another NATO Ally is spending more than 2% on defence. You have highly trained personnel and your advanced military capabilities bolster our deterrence and defence,» he said. Mr Stoltenberg also thanked Finland for its staunch support to Ukraine, amounting to some 2 billion euros in military aid since 2022, and welcomed Finland’s recent conclusion of a 10-year security agreement with Kyiv.
The Secretary General emphasised the urgency of continued military support to Ukraine amid a difficult battlefield situation. “Delays in funding are having direct consequences on the ground every day,” he said. “Delays in delivery of air defences will allow Russian missiles to hit more targets, and delays in delivery of ammunition will allow Russia to press along the frontline. Ukraine simply cannot wait. It needs air defences, ammunition and aid – now.”
Mr Stoltenberg underlined that “NATO is actively working to ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine now and for the long haul”.
