Alexander Stubb Backs Ukraine Deep Strikes Into Russia
Finnish President Alexander Stubb backed Ukraine’s long-range strikes deep inside Russia on Monday, arguing that attacks on oil refineries and logistics facilities increase the cost of Moscow’s war and could help force the Kremlin to the negotiating table.
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv, Stubb said Ukraine was in a significantly stronger military, political and financial position than it had been a year earlier.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
“When we were sitting here for the independence, the 34th Independence Day of Ukraine a year ago, the situation was much more difficult for Ukraine, militarily, politically and financially,” Stubb said.
“I think today we are in a much better place than we were.”
Asked whether Ukraine should continue long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries and, more recently, warehouses connected to Russian e-commerce companies, Stubb said Kyiv’s partners should help expand its deep-strike capabilities.
“One is to give military and financial support to Ukraine to increase its capacity for deep strikes, whether with missiles or with drones,” he said.
“The reason for this is very simple. It increases the cost and the price of the war for Russia.”
Stubb claimed that 65% of Russians now want the war to end and argued that strikes on logistics facilities such as those operated by Wildberries could increase domestic pressure on Moscow.
Other Topics of Interest
Rubio Congratulates Ukraine at 35, Pledges Continued US Security and Economic Ties
In an Independence Day message, Rubio said Washington remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and a lasting negotiated peace.
“So if your question is, do I think this is sensible military strategy from Ukraine, my answer is yes, it certainly is,” he said.
Stubb argued that increasing the military and economic costs Russia faces is essential to pushing Moscow toward genuine peace negotiations.
“This is the only way we’re going to get into the peace negotiations and a table,” he said.
The Finnish president also said coalition leaders had discussed the heavy financial burden the war continues to place on Ukraine and the need for its partners to find ways to address those costs.
His remarks came as the Coalition of the Willing met in Kyiv and by video conference on Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, with leaders pledging increased military support, stronger air defenses and additional economic pressure on Russia.