Elina Valtonen said Ukraine possesses one of the few “credible” armies in Europe and should be integrated into NATO “as soon as possible,” according to German outlet ZDFheute on May 7.
Speaking about European security and NATO expansion, Valtonen argued that Ukraine’s military has already demonstrated capabilities, placing it among the continent’s strongest armed forces after more than four years of full-scale war against Russia.
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According to the Finnish foreign minister, Ukraine is “one of only four armies in Europe that deserve trust,” alongside the armed forces of Turkey, Poland, and Finland.
Valtonen also reiterated Finland’s support for Ukraine joining NATO, saying Kyiv should be integrated into the alliance “as quickly as possible,” including for its own security interests.
The Finnish diplomat additionally suggested that Donald Trump could still change his stance regarding Ukrainian NATO membership.
She described Trump primarily as “a negotiator,” leaving open the possibility that his position on the issue could evolve.
Earlier, reports emerged that NATO has increasingly been using Ukrainian drone operators as a simulated adversary during military exercises, exposing alliance forces to the realities of modern drone warfare.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO’s Military Committee, said Ukrainian personnel are frequently tasked with acting as a “red team” in training scenarios, carrying out drone attacks against alliance units.
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