Russia is a “permanent and dangerous threat to the European Union”

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr. Orpo said that “the security situation has changed.” “Russia poses a permanent and dangerous threat to the European Union and European countries,” he said.

“Putin carries out hybrid attacks, he knows how to trap us”: a German minister warns of a threat looming over Europe

“Europe's defense must be strengthened by all possible means, we must explore all financial options,” the Finnish Prime Minister continued, without mentioning concrete plans to increase budgets.

Ms Kallas also affirmed that “Russia represents a direct threat to European security”, while noting that “security includes different elements”.

“We are seeing various hybrid attacks across Europe, including acts of sabotage, cyberattacks, dangerous ghost fleets, GPS jamming and damage to cables (telecommunications in the Baltic Sea, editor's note) , but also a militarization of migration,” said Ms. Kallas.

Finland has accused Moscow of orchestrating an influx of migrants to its eastern border with Russia with the arrival of around 1,000 illegal immigrants in the fall of 2023.

Vladimir Putin promises even more “destruction” to Ukraine after attack in Russia on Saturday

Mr. Orpo said that securing Finland's 1,340 km-long border with Russia — an EU and NATO border, he stressed — “is an existential question for the Finland and for other EU members and NATO allies.

He also called for “continued support for Ukraine for as long and as much as necessary.”