Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho has voiced concerns that the world might already be in the midst of World War III, urging Finland and its allies to treat current geopolitical tensions as if they signify a state of war.
In an interview with Turun Sanomat, Halla-aho argued that avoiding recognition of the situation could lead to greater risks.
“If we don’t know whether we are at war, it’s always best to assume that we are,” he said. He compared today’s circumstances to the early stages of World War II, when the global conflict was not immediately recognised as such.
Halla-aho emphasised the necessity of prioritising Ukraine’s defence and Russia’s defeat, calling the latter even more crucial than a Ukrainian victory. A failure to stop Russia, he warned, would embolden other authoritarian states to engage in imperialist aggression.
“Russia’s victory would signal to rogue states that the high cost of imperialist adventures is worth paying, as Western resolve would eventually falter,” he said.
Halla-aho urged Finland to increase its support for Ukraine and push other nations to do the same. He criticised vague statements that suggest Russia might retain some gains from the conflict, arguing that such messages only encourage Moscow to pursue further negotiations on its terms.
Citing the increased prevalence of hybrid warfare, Halla-aho said that even if full-scale military conflict has not erupted globally, proxy wars and hybrid attacks present a dangerous state of “neither war nor peace.”
“Finland and the Baltic states understand what is at stake,” he said, acknowledging the limited resources of smaller nations. “Our role is to lead by example and encourage larger countries to take stronger action.”
Halla-aho noted that Finland’s support for Ukraine should remain steadfast but pragmatic. “It’s not about supporting Ukraine ‘as long as necessary’—it’s about supporting Ukraine with as much as necessary, as quickly as possible,” he said.
Halla-aho, a former chair of the Finns Party, has brought a distinctive voice to Finnish politics. Fluent in Russian and Ukrainian, he has a PhD in Slavic Studies and previously worked at Finland’s embassy in Kyiv. His expertise in regional issues has added weight to his calls for Finland to play a proactive role in addressing the crisis.
In late 2023, Halla-aho delivered a speech in Ukrainian at the Parliament in Kyiv, where President Volodymyr Zelensky presented him with a medal of honour. Finland, now a NATO member, has joined its allies in strengthening its defences and supporting Ukraine.
While Finland faces no immediate military threat, Halla-aho reiterated the importance of preparation. “Assuming war will come compels us to prepare, and preparation reduces the likelihood of war,” he said.
HT