Helsinki, November 6, 2024 – The Europe Today: Finnish President Alexander Stubb has dismissed suggestions that Ukraine should adopt the so-called “Finnish model” — neutrality and territorial concessions — to achieve peace with Russia, amid rising discussions about potential peace frameworks for the ongoing conflict. Stubb’s remarks came in response to recent reports by Politico and Helsingin Sanomat, which revealed that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz may be exploring this model as a possible pathway to resolution.
The “Finnish model” refers to Finland’s neutrality policy after World War II, which lasted until its NATO membership in 2023. After the Winter War with the Soviet Union (1939–1940), Finland ceded some territory to the USSR under the Moscow Peace Treaty and remained neutral for nearly eight decades.
However, during a meeting with foreign journalists on Tuesday, President Stubb categorically rejected the relevance of this historical analogy to Ukraine’s situation. “The answer to all those who put forward these types of ideas is forget about it,” Stubb stated, emphasizing that Finland’s neutrality was simply a “means of survival” during the Cold War and arguing that such approaches are outdated in modern geopolitics.
Stubb stressed that Ukraine has the sovereign right to determine its security path, including its aspirations for NATO membership, rejecting any expectation that Ukraine should sacrifice territorial integrity or security aspirations for peace. He underscored that historical comparisons should be approached cautiously, as past models may not apply to current security challenges.
Ukraine, under President Volodymyr Zelensky, has consistently prioritized NATO membership and increased Western support as part of its strategic objectives. Zelensky’s recent “victory plan” outlined these priorities but faced skepticism in some U.S. and EU circles.
Russia, which initiated military action in Ukraine in 2022 partly due to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, has expressed strong opposition to further NATO expansion, citing security risks for Russia. In July, President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Ukraine’s NATO membership would only exacerbate regional tensions rather than increase Ukraine’s security.
Stubb’s comments reflect Finland’s view that Cold War-era neutrality is not a viable solution for Ukraine, as the geopolitical landscape has fundamentally evolved, and sovereign nations should have the autonomy to pursue their security alliances.
