(Dan Tri) – Finland agrees with France that all options must still be considered in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russia.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (Photo: Getty).

French President Emmanuel Macron caused a wave of backlash in February after he said that the US-led military bloc `cannot rule out` the possibility of sending NATO troops to support Ukraine.

Some member countries quickly rejected Mr. Macron’s remarks, affirming that NATO soldiers will not set foot in Ukraine.

However, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen argued that hypothetically, anything could happen if the situation in reality worsens, Politico reported on March 15.

`It is important that we do not rule out all possibilities in the long term, because we never know how serious the situation will become,` said Foreign Minister Valtonen.

`However, Finland’s position is very clear: We are not sending any troops at the moment and are not ready to discuss that,` Ms. Valtonen added.

According to Foreign Minister Valtonen, Kiev’s sponsors `could do more` in arming Ukrainian forces.

Finland shares a 1,300km border with Russia and Moscow has warned that NATO membership threatens, not guarantees, Finland’s security.

Finland is the 31st member of NATO, having just been admitted to the US-led military alliance last summer.

After Russia launched a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022, Finland and Sweden decided to abandon their neutrality policy and apply to join NATO.

After Finland joined NATO, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the establishment of a new military district bordering this Nordic country.

Finland’s newly elected President Alexander Stubb pledged during his inauguration to lead the Nordic country into a `new era` of military partnership with the West, boasting that

Last month, Finland’s President-elect announced he would take full advantage of NATO’s new membership and support Ukraine without limits.

Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen affirmed on February 29 that, unlike larger countries that impose restrictions on Ukraine in the use of long-range weapons issued to Kiev, Finland does not impose any restrictions.

Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian House of Representatives Aleksey Chepa warned that Finland’s `hostile actions` may be responded to by Moscow.

Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev also warned that Finland’s `green light` for Ukraine to use long-range weapons to attack Russian territory will certainly `significantly worsen` relations with Russia.