NATO and Finland Reaffirm Strong Support for Ukraine and Alliance Defence at Brussels Press Conference
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Finnish President Alexander Stubb held a joint press conference in Brussels on 17 November 2025, underscoring unwavering Allied support for Ukraine and strengthening NATO’s collective defence posture. Rutte opened the briefing by praising Finland as a “valued Ally,” highlighting the country’s defence spending surpassing 2.7% of GDP this year and its growing role in Northern European security. He noted the establishment of the new NATO Forward Land Force in Finland and the Multicore Land Component Command in Mikkeli, designed to coordinate land operations across the region.
Finland’s operational contributions were emphasised, including air policing missions over Iceland and Romania, a counter-drone deployment supporting Denmark, and participation in Baltic Sentry to protect undersea infrastructure. Rutte stressed Finland’s expertise in Arctic security, citing recent work at the Arctic Space Forum in Helsinki focused on space-based capabilities and resilience in the High North.
Turning to Russia’s continued war of aggression, Rutte highlighted Ukraine’s ongoing defence and Finland’s €3.8 billion in total assistance since 2022, including €2.8 billion in military support. He praised Finland’s three-year defence industry programme for Ukraine and its role in establishing a new initiative to train and equip a Ukrainian brigade. He also noted Helsinki’s recent €100 million contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirement List (PERL), ensuring rapid delivery of U.S.-sourced equipment.
President Stubb echoed the Secretary General, stating that the Allies must “increase sanctions and further support Ukraine militarily and economically.” Stubb confirmed Finland has sent 30 aid packages and joined the Nordic-Baltic PERL package with €100 million. He also referenced Finland’s newly launched Shelter Coalition to protect Ukrainian civilians. Stubb warned that Russia believes it can exhaust Western resolve, but insisted this belief is “mistaken,” pointing to expanding defence industrial capacity and long-term financial planning for Ukraine.
Discussing broader European security, Stubb reiterated that Russia will remain a “long-standing threat,” urging sustained investment in defence and unity against hybrid attacks. He encouraged maintaining “cool heads and sisu — grit and perseverance,” cautioning against overreaction to Russian destabilisation efforts. Both leaders confirmed Finland’s NATO integration is progressing, including the development of the Forward Land Force and the Mikkeli command.
During Q&A, Rutte said NATO is in close contact with Poland after an explosion damaged a railway track, but will await investigation results. Stubb said diplomatic contacts with Russia must remain coordinated, with no “solo acts.” Addressing drone incidents over Belgium, Rutte confirmed Allies are providing concrete assistance, though attribution remains unclear. Stubb outlined three EU funding options for Ukraine for 2025–2026: direct national contributions, EU-level debt mutualisation, or use of immobilised Russian assets.
On the future of U.S. troop presence in Europe, both leaders stressed that Europe is stepping up defence commitments, while the U.S. maintains a robust presence. Finally, both declined to predict EU decisions on frozen assets ahead of the December European Council, but stressed the necessity of stable financial and military support for Ukraine as winter approaches.
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