To deter Russia in a joint manner, it is necessary to establish a European defense pillar, and given the potential military threat from China, the European community must mobilize even more strongly.

Mika Aaltola, MEP (Finland), expressed this concern at the 17 th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.

“In Finland, we demonstrate our full awareness of what is happening by raising spending volumes for defense and capabilities… 80% of Finns say they are ready defend their homeland if there is a threat,” he said.

According to the Member of European Parliament, Finland and Ukraine have a common denominator – the knowledge of what it means to be a next-door-neighbour to Russia.

“We must realize that we can deter Russia with our joint efforts. We must establish European defenses – alongside our Arctic neighbors and our eastern neighbors,” he emphasized. Mika Aaltola argued: “We must now mobilize and unite even more strongly than ever before, as China is rising as a military threat.”

The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss problems of war and peace, national and world security.