Finland’s foreign minister, Elina Valtonen, has suggested that Western nations, including the United States, should not rule out the possibility of sending military forces to Ukraine if the fighting intensifies. In a candid interview with Policy, Valtonen explained that while caution remains essential, the door should not be closed to considering all options if Ukraine’s security situation deteriorates. The message underscores a shift toward a more flexible assessment of external military aid depending on how the conflict evolves in the coming months.
The Finnish minister stressed that Finland has a clear stance: the country will not dispatch troops to Ukraine, and officials in Helsinki do not intend to change this position. The declaration reflects a deliberate effort to reassure allies while avoiding commitments that could alter Finland’s long-standing policy of not deploying combat troops beyond its borders. The conversation reinforces that Finland is focused on noncombat support and defensive measures aligned with its security priorities and alliance responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Antonio Tajani, the head of Italy’s foreign ministry, voiced a different concern. He argued that NATO should explicitly exclude the option of sending troops to Ukraine, warning that such a decision could escalate the crisis and potentially trigger broader international conflict. Tajani’s remarks emphasize the importance of maintaining alliance unity and exploring diplomatic avenues to prevent a wider war, rather than revealing new military commitments on the ground in Ukraine.
In a separate interview with BFMTV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed that Ukraine does not require the direct deployment of French ground forces. He acknowledged that in the event of a conflict between Russia and a NATO member, there could be a reassessment of how French forces might contribute, but he reminded audiences that Ukraine is not a member of the alliance and that such moves would involve a different set of considerations. Zelensky also stated openness to allowing technical personnel and military specialists to operate on Ukrainian soil to train personnel and support weapon production and maintenance, framing these efforts as essential to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capacity without a full troop commitment from France.
There was also a broader reflection on the NATO alliance’s recent discussions about peace prospects. Some statements suggested that peace might entail a negotiated settlement that could involve difficult compromises. The dialogue highlights how the alliance weighs the balance between deterrence, allied solidarity, and political feasibility as it navigates a rapidly evolving security landscape in Europe.