Vladimir Putin could drag the war in Ukraine on for years, according to Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen. Speaking to Politico, the Finnish politician said Brussels was slowly accepting that “we are entering a kind of new Cold War”.
He said that many European leaders had been hoping the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a “short-term problem”. Earlier this month, Mr Häkkänen, who has served as Minister of Defence since June 2023, said Finland was doubling domestic ammunition production.
He said: “I think many Western countries were thinking that this was a short-term problem.” The Finnish politician said: “But now I think in the US and in NATO countries almost everybody realises that we are entering a kind of new Cold War.”
The warning comes as military aid from both the US and the EU has faltered in recent weeks. Many leaders fear the war in Ukraine has entered a stalemate and do not want to send weapons into a frozen conflict, amid growing fatigue among Western publics.
This follows the disappointment of a highly-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive that saw little territorial gain despite a massive human cost.
Mr Häkkänen said Russia’s strategy was counting on Ukraine’s allies to back away from the conflict. He said: “Russia has the capability and the ability to go on with this war for years.
“Many are overestimating that the West is winning this, that Ukraine is winning.” He said that Europe has “bigger economic muscles” than Russia, but “decisive steps” were needed to bolster its defence industry.
This week, Belgian Defence Chief Michel Hofman warned that weakening Western support could prompt Russia to invade “the south in Moldova or the Baltic states”.
A $60 billion (£47bn) military aid package from the US is currently held up in Congress, while a £42 billion EU financial assistance package has been blocked by Hungary.
However, earlier today, Kyiv received a welcome boost when the Dutch government announced it is preparing to give 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
The Dutch defence minister, Kajsa Ollongren said that the planes are “extremely important because the ongoing Russian aggression shows no sign of ending”.
