(Strasbourg) “Russia is getting ready for a long conflict. It poses a constant military and existential threat for Europe”: this was stated by Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland, in the premises of the European Parliament. “We must give more support to Ukraine – he insists – to make it win this war. Every single euro spent for this purpose is a lower price than the costs we should bear if Russia won”.

Then, he welcomed Sweden into NATO and stated that “the United States are our most important ally, with which we will have to strengthen bonds of security and trade”. During the debate, Orpo – whose government includes Conservative and Far Right members – was applauded and appreciated by the People’s Party, ECR (Conservatives) and sovereigntists. Social Democrats, Left and environmentalist parties instead harshly criticised the measures taken by his government in the area of welfare, trade unions and the environment.