In the current geopolitical conditions, NATO is returning to its original task for which the alliance was created: to deter threats from the East.
This was stated by Finnish President Alexander Stubb during a press conference following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
"I am convinced that we are now witnessing the formation of NATO 3.0. We are returning to our primary role of deterrence that NATO was supposed to fulfill as a powerful military alliance when the threat comes from the East, primarily from Russia. We have a shared understanding within the alliance regarding security challenges, and it is very important that we are currently working in both directions—deterrence and defense," Stubb said.
The President of Finland added that his country is actively participating in improving NATO's command structures, and that it will:
- Together with the United States and northern partners, be part of NATO's joint command in Norfolk.
- Work on a strong land component within its own armed forces.
- Collaborate with Sweden to establish a forward land grouping to strengthen the northern flank of the Alliance.
"Thanks to the strength of our military, we will be providers, not consumers of security, and we see that many allied countries have a strong desire to help us in this," Stubb added.
