NATO returning to core mission is how Finnish President Alexander Stubb described the shift taking place within the alliance. Speaking at the NATO summit in Brussels, he said member states are now investing in defense at levels not seen since the Cold War.
Stubb said the alliance is changing in both tone and structure. “We are witnessing the emergence of a new, more balanced NATO,” he told reporters. “The alliance is becoming more European, both in leadership and in priorities.”
Finland, which joined NATO recently, remains firmly committed. “Finland has full confidence in NATO’s Article 5,” Stubb said, referring to the clause that ensures all members will respond if one is attacked.
At the summit, nearly all NATO countries agreed to increase defense budgets, with Spain being the only holdout. For Stubb, this agreement marks a significant shift. “This is a win for both Europe and President Trump,” he said.
While on his way to the meeting, Trump questioned the clarity of Article 5. “There’s numerous definitions of Article 5, you know that right?” he told journalists. “I’ll give you an exact definition when I get there.”
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen responded firmly. “Each member decides how it contributes, but the wording itself is not open,” she said. Valtonen also emphasized that Finland believes the United States remains committed to NATO’s defense promises.
Valtonen met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and described her talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as productive. She reiterated Finland’s strong support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
President Stubb ended by stressing Finland’s national security priorities. With a long border shared with Russia and a complex history, Finland has always treated defense seriously. Now, Stubb said, that national mindset is aligned with the broader direction of the NATO alliance.
