Articles by Darrelle Ng

Technology

More pressure needed to end Russia's war on Ukraine: Finnish FM

Alongside Poland and the Baltic states, Finland – which shares NATO’s longest border with Russia – is also withdrawing from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel landmines. All these come amid growing concerns over Russia’s long-term threat to European security. “We are ramping up our defence and deterrence across Europe and NATO quite massively, and that is certainly in the right direction. Not in order to threaten anybody – that seems to be the Russian narrative – but in order to stay safe,” Valtonen said. “We have always invested very heavily in our defence and deterrence, and we are happy now that the rest of Europe is doing the same. Together, we are so much stronger.” Finland’s defence minister Antti Hakkanen said earlier this month that Russia will continue to be a major threat to NATO even after the war in Ukraine, citing a new build-up of Russian forces. Valtonen noted: ‘Unfortunately, we are witnessing that Russia's aggression (is not limited) to Ukraine … (Moscow) is interested in military power and subjugating other nations.” She emphasised that Ukraine must not be forced to cede territory to end the war, warning that doing so would undermine the very foundations of international law. “If we now accept a peace deal which essentially tears apart the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of nations – the key components of the UN Charter and international law – that will have global implications,” she warned. “Most certainly, small nations can't feel free anymore because then we kind of accept that you can use violence to change borders. Everybody hopes to live in a world where we have peace and respect for each other, and adhere to international law.” Finland’s stance is shaped by its own history. The Soviet Union invaded Finland in 1939 after Helsinki refused to meet Moscow’s territorial demands. The conflict ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty of 1940, which forced Finland to cede about 10 per cent of its territory. The Finnish foreign minister is on an official visit to Singapore – the final stop of her Southeast Asia tour, which included a stopover in Jakarta and participation in the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.