After meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last Friday, US President Donald Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, in Washington DC on Monday.
Security guarantees for Ukraine similar to Nato's collective defence pledge are on the agenda.
Asked about Finland contributing to any potential security guarantees, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Monday said the discussion was premature, noting that any decision on the matter would require a firm proposal first.
"As we've said before, as a frontline country, our forces' primary mission is to defend Finland," Orpo explained, adding that as a border country [with Russia], sending troops where there is a potential for conflict is a difficult issue.
The premier said that securing the 1,300-kilometre Nato border is Finnish soldiers' main priority. Instead, Finland could have a role in providing logistics and training, he explained.
Promises alone will not be enough for Ukraine, foreign policy expert Charly Salonius-Pasternak told Yle's breakfast show on Monday.
Recent US comments on security guarantees for Ukraine suggest that the country's leadership has swallowed a narrative fed by Russia, argued Salonius-Pasternak, CEO of Nordic West Office, a consultancy.
Russia has demanded, among other things, territorial concessions as a precondition for a ceasefire.
Ukrainians understand that obtaining genuine security guarantees could end up meaning ceding territory to Russia, according to Salonius-Pasternak.
From Ukraine's perspective, mere promises of support are not enough. A real security guarantee would, in practice, mean that western countries are ready to send troops to Ukraine, Salonius-Pasternak said.
"A pledge like 'yes, we’ll come to the rescue later' will not be enough for Ukrainians," he explained.
The question of sending troops also concerns Finland and, according to Salonius-Pasternak, is ultimately about credibility. “If everyone else is part of such a force, then we also need to be."
Valtonen: "Ukraine does not need the West's help to surrender"
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) sent a direct message to Washington on Monday.
"Ukraine's place is still and very well may be in Nato in the future," Valtonen said in an interview with Yle.
Valtonen also stressed that Ukraine must be allowed to decide on its own territory and choose its own security arrangements.
The minister further pointed out that since the Ukrainian army is currently one of the strongest in the world, it would also be in Nato's interest to have Ukraine as a member "one day".
"Ukraine does not need the West's help to surrender. Ukraine needs the West's help to show that we stand by our principles and our common values, and that we support Ukraine," Valtonen said.
Finland knows not to trust Russia
US President Trump has said that instead of a ceasefire, Ukraine and Russia should work directly towards a peace agreement, ultimately ending the conflict.
Valtonen expressed scepticism towards this idea, saying there are so many details to be agreed on that it would not be possible to deal with them if the fighting continued at the same time.
The security guarantees that Ukraine wants have yet to be agreed on in concrete terms between Europe and the US. Valtonen noted that security guarantees are required before a ceasefire and a peace agreement can be put in place.
"Finland knows very well that the Russian word cannot necessarily be trusted until the very end. Relying on Russia's word that it will not escalate military action in Ukraine and will stay within its own borders is not worth very much," Valtonen said.
Article updated at 15:45 to add Valtonen comments.
