Finland’s Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen says Russia’s ambitions are not limited to the war in Ukraine. In remarks reported by Yle News, he said Moscow wants to restore Soviet-era spheres of influence, underscoring what he sees as a continuing security threat for Europe.

Häkkänen’s comments place the conflict in Ukraine in a wider geopolitical context, suggesting that any end to fighting there would not necessarily remove the pressure on neighbouring countries. The warning reflects a broader concern in Finland and elsewhere in Europe that Russia’s goals extend beyond the current battlefield.