Polish President Karol Nawrocki is in Helsinki on an official visit. On Tuesday, 9 September, he met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and their joint message was clear: Russia remains Europe’s greatest threat, and Putin’s intentions cannot be trusted.

At the press conference, both presidents stressed that Putin is ready to attack new countries. This is not just a cautious estimate, but, according to both leaders, a very real scenario for which the EU and NATO must be prepared.

Particular attention was drawn to Nawrocki’s remark that only U.S. President Donald Trump is capable of forcing Putin to the negotiating table. The statement was bold and sparked considerable debate both in Finland and in Poland.

Finland as a model in civil defence

Nawrocki highlighted Finland’s strong model of comprehensive security and civil defence, which is of interest to Poland. He called Finland a “security provider” and emphasised that Warsaw wants to learn from this experience.

Deepening cooperation

The talks also touched on strengthening regional cooperation. There was discussion of the idea that Northern European countries – including Finland and Sweden – could join a format similar to the Bucharest Nine (B9). This would reflect an increasingly unified approach to defence across the Baltic Sea region. The visit was not just protocol. It was a political signal that Finland and Poland stand shoulder to shoulder. Both have recent experience of living under Russia’s shadow. The common stance between Helsinki and Warsaw is an important reminder that Europe’s security is being decided right now – and polite diplomatic smiles are not enough.

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