By TK Finland
Today, we in Finland celebrate the second anniversary of our accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Our freedom and sovereignty have never been more secure, yet the journey to NATO membership was both challenging and prolonged.
Eighty years ago, we fought for our freedom in two brutal wars against the Soviet Union. Despite managing to preserve our independence and most of our territory, our sovereignty remained compromised for decades until the fall of the Soviet Union. It was only after 1991 that Finland could truly turn westward, joining the European Union in 1995 and finally achieving NATO membership in 2023. However, In Finland, Russia’s proximity has always influenced how we prepare for the future. The rest of Europe is only now waking up to this reality.
This historical journey makes Ukraine’s current struggle profoundly personal and deeply emotional for us. We understand the high cost of defending freedom and the importance of standing with those who fight for their sovereignty.
It has been three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Even though every single day of war is too much, peace cannot be built at any cost. Ukraine is a sovereign country with every right to decide its own future. Its ability to pursue EU or NATO membership must not be restricted in peace negotiations.
The role Europe takes in the peace process will not only shape our own destiny but also determine the future world order. Europe’s credibility is at stake. Although we pledge our support for Ukraine, the truth is that we have done far too little. We have supported Ukraine enough to prevent it from losing the war but not enough to give it a chance to win.
Ukraine needs to be able to count on our support. Europe must increase arms and ammunition production and ensure that support for Ukraine continues even after the war ends. This also means being prepared to send European peacekeepers to Ukraine to prevent potential future aggression from Russia.
We must ensure that Ukraine’s future is not marked by prolonged insecurity or compromised independence, as it was for us. Their fight is our fight, and their freedom is a cause we must continue to support with unwavering commitment. Because if we fail Ukraine, we also fail ourselves.
By Chair Henriina Rantala & International Secretary Sami Matikainen, TK Finland