Christine Drews Sieger
President Alexander Stubb argues that Ukraine has already achieved a defense victory by preserving its independence, setting the stage for its ultimate integration into Europe.
Preserving national identity against a massive invader already counts as a major success.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb argued that Ukraine has essentially secured a defense victory simply by surviving as an independent nation.
Speaking in an interview with European Pravda, he recalled how Finland surrendered land to the Soviets after the 1939 Winter War, yet successfully kept its ultimate freedom intact.
That historic outcome will not serve as a template for Kyiv, however. Stubb made it clear that Ukraine should not expect to give up territory in the same manner.
Instead, he emphasized that the current war of attrition imposes a burden that will eventually force Moscow to reconsider its trajectory.
Kremlin’s political calculus remains indifferent to human casualties, even after Russian casualty figures crossed the one-million mark.
Pressure on the leadership will instead come directly from deep strikes hitting critical infrastructure across Russia, according to European Pravda.
Threats to the regime
Targeted strikes on strategic energy sites within Russia are beginning to bite, visible through rising inflation, fuel shortages, and mounting local discontent.
As Stubb explained to European Pravda, “It’s not going to be about dead soldiers. It’s going to be about a threat to the regime.”
Diplomatic backchannels remain open, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is not showing any interest in real negotiations right now.
Western allies must therefore step up military supplies, enforce economic sanctions, and help Ukraine survive the approaching winter.
Helsinki is active on the ground, delivering power generation hardware to bolster Ukraine’s vulnerable energy infrastructure.
Looking to the future, Stubb believes Ukraine will eventually join both the EU and NATO.
Speaking about the long-term outcome of the war, he insisted that “at the end of the day, Ukraine will be a member of the European Union, and that is going to be the greatest outcome, I think, of this war,” according to European Pravda.
A security partner for Europe
Stubb also argued that Ukraine’s role in Europe could ultimately extend far beyond receiving Western assistance.
In his interview with European Pravda the Finnish president suggested that European countries should increasingly consider what Ukraine can contribute to their own security, rather than viewing the relationship solely through the lens of aid flowing to Kyiv.
Ukraine’s years of experience fighting Russia, developing drone warfare and adapting rapidly to modern battlefield conditions could make the country an increasingly important security partner for Europe.
For Stubb, Ukraine’s eventual integration into the European Union would therefore represent more than a political victory — it could also strengthen Europe’s broader security architecture.
