Finland's prime minister called on the EU to step up defense spending and cooperation amid heightened tensions with Russia following the country's NATO membership.
Signs of tension with Russia are increasing in the Nordic region following Sweden and Norway's entry into NATO.
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo warned on Wednesday that Russia was preparing for a “prolonged conflict with the West,” as Denmark continued to decry the expansion of its Western military alliance in the wake of Russia's invasion of Russia. He warned that the government had announced plans to increase the amount of Ukraine.
In his comments to the European Parliament, Orupo called for increased and coordinated spending on European defense.
“Russia is clearly preparing for a long-term conflict with the West and poses a permanent and vital military threat to Europe,” the Finnish leader declared.
“If we fail to meet this challenge as a united Europe, the coming years will be fraught with danger and the threat of imminent attack,” he said, before adding: “Russia is not invincible.” added.
Mr. Orpo, who borders Russia, urged the 27-nation European Union to step up defense spending, saying the bloc must look after its own defense and that its security would depend on the outcome of the U.S. election. He insisted that he could not be allowed to do so.
Republican candidate Donald Trump suggested last month that NATO guarantees could be weakened if he regains the White House in the November vote.
Meanwhile, the Russian government continues to denounce the expansion of the Western alliance.
President Vladimir Putin said in remarks published Wednesday that Finland and Sweden's membership in NATO is a “pointless step.” He reiterated that after Finland joins the alliance, Russia will deploy troops and destructive systems on its borders.
President Vladimir Putin warned Western countries on Wednesday that Russia is technically ready for nuclear war and that any U.S. sending troops to Ukraine would be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict.
Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula was a wake-up call for European countries, and NATO raised its recommended minimum defense spending from less than 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2%.
Many people struggle to reach that threshold. But while Moscow's continued invasion of Ukraine has drawn attention, arms and ammunition handed over to Kiev are driving up spending.
Denmark, one of NATO's founding members, announced Wednesday that it will increase its defense budget by $5.9 billion over the next five years to build up its military, exceeding its spending target starting this year.
“The total defense budget, including aid to Ukraine, will amount to 2.4% of Denmark's gross domestic product (GDP) this year and in 2025,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters.
The increased funds will be used both to strengthen Denmark's military and to provide aid to Ukraine. Conscription will also be expanded, extending the conscription period from four months to 11 months and including women for the first time.
Denmark already announced last year that it would triple its military spending over the next 10 years.
“We haven't stopped investing in defense, but it's still not enough,” Frederiksen said.
“If we want to achieve NATO's goal of deploying a brigade of 6,000 soldiers as quickly as possible and protecting Denmark from air strikes, we need to modernize even faster,” she said.