Estonian President Alar Karis and Finnish President Alexander Stubb used a meeting in Helsinki to underline growing security risks in the Baltic region and the long-term implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The leaders focused on military security, European defense coordination, and the future of relations with Moscow.
President Stubb said the narrative around the war in Ukraine should be reassessed, noting Ukrainian gains on the battlefield.
“Europe should think about how much it needs Ukraine, not only the other way around,” he said, adding that EU financial support for Ukraine, including a €90 billion loan package, must continue.
Karis reaffirmed Estonia’s support for Ukraine, calling for sustained pressure on Russia and stronger European defense cooperation.
“In the future, Ukraine’s place is in the EU and NATO,” he said.
Both presidents said European states are debating when and how dialogue with Russia could eventually resume. Stubb said key questions remain over timing and format, while stressing that “no country in Europe acts alone.”
Karis said Europe needs to develop its own long-term approach to Russia. Both leaders agreed that relations with Moscow will change but will not disappear due to geography.
“Relations with Russia will be different, but they will still exist. Neighbours have no alternative,” Stubb said.
Security in the Baltic Sea was another key topic, including drone activity and Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The presidents said Finland and Estonia are already closely cooperating and maintain high readiness levels against drone threats. Karis said drone incidents in the region are a direct consequence of Russia’s war in Ukraine and highlighted technical challenges in countering them.
“Shooting down drones is easiest over the sea, but over land it is much more complicated,” he said, calling for joint development of counter-drone systems.
Both leaders also expressed concern over environmental risks posed by aging vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet operating in the Baltic Sea.
