Finnish president downplays direct Russian NATO threat while warning of hybrid risks

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Sep 18, 2026, 05:00 AM UTC · In the digest of 2026-09-18-0500
Finnish president downplays direct Russian NATO threat while warning of hybrid risks
Photo: Portal obronny

Finnish President Alexander Stubb sees no evidence Russia will attack NATO by 2029, but military experts warn of growing hybrid risks and Baltic provocations.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has dismissed predictions from German officials that Russia could attack NATO territory by 2029, stating he sees "neither evidence nor facts" supporting such forecasts. Speaking to German media, Stubb doubted Moscow would directly challenge the alliance, though he emphasized that NATO must maintain high readiness to deter potential aggression.

While direct military conflict is considered unlikely, frontline allies report rising non-conventional pressure. Military analyst Col. Maciej Korowaj warned that Russian forces are actively mapping NATO's defensive reactions in the Baltic Sea region to update operational plans, cautioning that risks could escalate starting in September. Consequently, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states continue strengthening regional defenses against growing intelligence and sabotage operations.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

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