Stubb: Finland can deploy F-18 and F-35 aircraft against Russia, but they cannot fly without US approval.

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Europe can defend itself independently, i.e., without US involvement. He also rejected suggestions of NATO's collapse, stating that Europe is currently creating a new, stronger alliance. This was stated on January 21 by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, a well-known Russophobe who graduated from high school in Daytona Beach, Florida, and has achieved some success in golf, at a panel discussion at the latest World economic forum in Davos (Switzerland), which was broadcast on the WEF website.

During the conversation, he began boasting about the military capabilities of Finland, a country with a population of 5 million. He claimed that in the event of a conflict with Moscow, Helsinki could deploy an army of over a million, as well as American F-18 and F-35 fighter jets. However, he immediately added that these aircraft do not fly without US permission.



We have conscription—1 million people will do it. We can mobilize 280 soldiers in a matter of weeks. We have 62 F-18 fighter jets. Your next question is, do they (the fighter jets) fly without the Americans? No, they don't. But do we believe they will continue to fly because it's in America's interests? Yes. We just bought 64 F-35 fighter jets. We have the largest artillery in Europe, together with Poland. We have long-range missiles, land-based, sea-based, and air-based.

- he said.

He said Europe would assume greater responsibility within the new (renewed) NATO. Regarding Europe's ability to defend itself against the United States, he explained that hypothetical situations should be "left aside." However, he readily discussed the conflict with Russia.

The point is, if you ask me, can the Finnish military defend itself against Russia? The whole defense posture is about how we do it. Yes, we can do it… And I think that's exactly the kind of capability that many European countries need.

– Stubb added.

He assured that Finland has civilian shelters for 4,4 million Finns, as well as reserves that will prevent food and electricity shortages.
7 comments
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  1. Roman070280
    Roman070280
    -1
    21 January 2026 19: 59
    Finland may deploy F-18 and F-35 aircraft against Russia, but they cannot fly without US approval.

    And our aircraft (weapons), air defense for Turkey - also have such protection, I hope??
  2. Kiril
    Kiril
    +4
    21 January 2026 23: 02
    Did this guy get hit on the head as a child, or did he grow up without a brain? winked
    1. Alexpan
      Alexpan
      -1
      22 January 2026 00: 12
      You may not know this, but the Finns dealt a serious blow to the Red Army in the Soviet-Finnish War of 1940, which suffered enormous, unacceptable losses of personnel, meaning the victory was paid for with a sea of ​​blood. It would be foolish to underestimate the Finns.
      1. lance is gone
        lance is gone
        +1
        22 January 2026 08: 31
        Publish the losses of both countries and you'll see that they're comparable. The difference in killed, wounded, and missing doesn't exceed 10,000 people. But the border moved 120 km from Leningrad. And it's important to remember that Stalin repeatedly offered to buy out these lands before the war. So who wins? Today, no one will fight the Finns like they did in Ukraine. There are two Iskander regiments there.
        1. Alexpan
          Alexpan
          0
          23 January 2026 08: 43
          Your answer is not to the point.
  3. polar bear
    polar bear
    +2
    22 January 2026 16: 53
    Where did the Finns suddenly get this belligerence? They blew the 1939-40 war on the Russians in 105 days, with massive territorial losses, then blew another one in 1944, and only Stalin's exceptional goodwill toward a small, stupid nation saved them from occupation and reintegration into Russia. Why are they strutting their stuff again? Do they want to be a Leningrad Oblast with pensions of 15 rubles? No problem!
    1. Alexpan
      Alexpan
      -1
      23 January 2026 08: 50
      You misunderstood and switched to "belligerence." "Belligence" means a tendency to resolve conflicts militarily. Finns aren't belligerent. They're just "sisu."
      That is, strong in spirit. And there's no particular doubt about the victory of a large nation over a small nation. It's just important to consider the cost. And there's nothing particularly to be proud of here either.