Is the West tired of aiding Ukraine- Finnish Foreign Minister- It is true and it is increasingly true_1

Following Russia’s attack on Mykolaiv, Ukraine, on October 15, a building was engulfed in flames, as reported by the Associated Press. Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently warned in a Financial Times interview that Western nations are growing weary of supporting Ukraine and are increasingly longing for some form of conflict resolution. She urged other Western foreign ministers to intensify their efforts to assist Kyiv.

The FT’s Europe Express column noted that since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, President Putin has vowed to continue the war of attrition in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces currently occupy about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, and some Western officials have begun to privately discuss potential pathways to a ceasefire.

Addressing the issue of Western fatigue, Valtonen acknowledged, “This is true, and it’s becoming increasingly evident.” She highlighted that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have diverted attention and resources away from Ukraine. For example, the issues in the Middle East dominated discussions at the UN General Assembly in September. “Of course, these two conflicts are closely related, but for us Europeans, it’s crucial to recognize that if we allow Russia to win in Ukraine, we essentially undermine our own credibility as a deterrent,” she stated.

Valtonen emphasized the importance of sustained support for Ukraine while questioning what constitutes “sufficient” assistance. “Many countries want to believe that, especially as the war in the Middle East continues, finding a solution to this war initiated by Russia would be a great outcome,” she remarked.

Moreover, Valtonen called for Western nations to tighten sanctions aimed at crippling the Russian economy, particularly in relation to the growing “shadow fleet” of uninsurable oil tankers that evade restrictions on oil sales. She expressed concern, stating, “These uninsured, substandard vessels are circumventing price caps, creating environmental risks, especially in the Baltic Sea. We are genuinely worried. So, there absolutely needs to be more done.”