- September 14, 2025
- 5:29 pm
- Brief news
At the Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum, which took place in Kyiv on September 13, there was an exchange of remarks between Finnish President Alexander Stubb and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This was reported by the Finnish publication Iltalehti.
The discussion at the conference focused on ways to end the war in Ukraine. Stubb delivered the keynote speech immediately after the address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, noting that Finland could provide support in dialogue processes.
During the discussion, Johnson expressed bewilderment as to why the frozen Russian assets amounting to €300 billion had not yet been directed to aid Ukraine. Stubb explained that these funds could be used for both the country’s reconstruction and military reparations. However, some EU countries, including Belgium, fear the legal consequences of such a decision.
Questions about military aid
Johnson also asked why the “Coalition of the Willing” does not deploy its troops in safe zones in Ukraine. To this, Stubb replied that military forces should remain a deterrent tool in the post-war period.
EU membership as a security guarantee
The President of Finland highlighted that one of the reliable ways to ensure security for Ukraine could be its EU membership. He noted: “I don’t want to say this in your presence, but one of the best security guarantees for Ukraine would be EU membership”.
As Iltalehti notes, Stubb might have been hinting at Johnson’s role as one of the main architects of Brexit. Also, to Finland’s statement, Johnson ironically replied: “It took you quite a long time too”.
Unacceptability of external influence
Stubb also emphasized the need for the unacceptability of external forces influencing Ukraine’s policy, as happened in Finland after World War II.
The atmosphere of discussions at the forum demonstrated the tension and diversity of opinions on key security issues in the region.