Finland does not rule out sending Western forces to Ukraine

Finnish Foreign Minister Elena Valtonen indicated that she does not rule out sending Western forces to Ukraine in the future, noting that now is not the right time to send any forces there.

She said in an interview with the British newspaper "Financial Times": "Now is not the right time to send forces to Ukraine, and we do not even want to discuss that at this stage, but in the long term, we should not rule out anything."

She added: "The West does not know what the conflict will lead to and what will happen in the future, and therefore there is no need to 'reveal all the cards.'"

In turn, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told the newspaper that French President Emmanuel Macron's statements about sending forces to Ukraine "woke up European leaders," indicating that it is better and safer to help Kiev with weapons and money instead of sending forces.

Macron's statements, in which he did not rule out sending forces to Ukraine, sparked   strong reactions from many European countries.

He said at the conclusion of an international conference in support of Ukraine held in Paris last month: “There is no consensus today regarding sending forces in an official and guaranteed manner. But nothing should be ruled out.”

For its part, Russia confirmed that any forces that appear in Ukraine will become a priority and legitimate target for the Russian army, warning the West against taking such a step.