Ankara: European leaders warned Saturday that Russia poses a continuing long-term threat to Europe and must be countered with stronger deterrence and sustained military support for Ukraine, as officials speaking at the Munich Security Conference stressed the need for faster defense investment. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Moscow's actions show that it is not seeking peace.

According to Anadolu Agency, Frederiksen argued that the Western alliance must respond with strength, saying, "Russia will not change . they are not interested in peace." She cautioned that Europe faces simultaneous security pressures from multiple sides, including an eastern flank, a southern flank, a northern flank, and new technological challenges. Frederiksen expressed concern that current defense spending levels may fall short, with Denmark currently allocating 3.5% of its GDP to defense. She also dismissed any suggestion of territorial bargaining over Greenland, emphasizing the importance of NATO unity.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb highlighted Russia's strategic failures despite the war's intensity. He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin's objectives, such as taking over Ukraine and preventing NATO expansion, have backfired. Stubb cited significant battlefield losses to underline his point, stating that 65,000 Russian soldiers died in December and January alone. He described the war as a "total strategic failure from Russia's part" and urged allies to act decisively. Finland, which shares the longest border with Russia among NATO countries, has historical experience in holding off invasions.

Pedro Sanchez, Spain's prime minister, emphasized the importance of joint defense efforts over merely increasing spending targets. He warned that rapidly raising defense spending could lead to increased dependence on the US defense industry. Sanchez stressed the broader geopolitical challenge posed by the war, noting that it is not only an attack on Ukraine but also on the European Union as a whole, and called for unity among allies.