At the NATO defense ministers’ meeting, the West promised substantial support to Ukraine.
The broken gas pipeline and data cable at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland are of interest to NATO countries. Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen says that he has discussed the issue with several partners such as the United States and Britain.
Details of the investigation are not available. Häkkänen says that bad weather is slowing down the investigation right now. He doesn’t want to rush his interpretation.
– We know that some external factor has affected these connections, the pipe and the data cable. That is why we want to have a dialogue with the EU and NATO about what we can do, if there is a reason for it.
Häkkänen plans to present the matter more thoroughly to the other ministers tomorrow.
So far, Finland and Estonia have not accepted the help offered by other NATO countries in the investigation. It has been offered by several countries, for example the United States and the Netherlands, which was involved in investigating the explosion of the Nord Stream pipeline. Why is the help not valid?
– We will figure this out peacefully with Estonia, our own abilities to support the matter are sufficient.
Häkkänen also does not want to say what is shown in the pictures taken of the pipe damage. Information about the photos became public through Estonia.
There was cause for concern in the Ukraine crackdown
The situation in Ukraine and Israel are the major concerns of the meeting. The continuation of support for Ukraine directly affects Finland’s security.
– The concern about the fragmentation of the unity of the West has been justified, says Häkkänen.
Poland’s and Slovakia’s talks about ending aid and the US’s hold on funding have raised doubts as to whether the West will be able to support Ukraine in a protracted war.
– Russia is playing a battle of attrition so that the West will tire of supporting and Russia will win, Häkkänen says.
Russia also expects the election results of various countries to turn the situation in Russia’s favor. Protracted war benefits Russia because it has the ability to produce munitions and munitions.
However, based on today’s discussion, the support will continue, and according to Häkkänen, it will even strengthen. Several countries have reported on additional support.
– The support continues. Not in the short term but also in the long term. That was the most important message to the east, says Häkkänen.
Ukraine especially hopes for support for air defense, ammunition and artillery. In addition to these, the countries support the development of Ukraine’s defense so that it will be able to cope in the coming years and decades.