Finland's President has warned that Europe has been plunged into an “era of darkness” amid growing global conflicts and instability. Alexander Stubb spoke of a “dog-eat-dog world” as he said European allies need to develop new security structures in the face of growing Russian aggression.
Speaking at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, Mr Stubb said the world is facing a crucial moment and global security will depend on choices made by the “big powers”, singling out the US and China. He asked: “Will they choose co-operation or confrontation?”
Call for European security structure
Mr Stubb continued: “The key question for all of us is to create a European security structure which makes sure that Russia does not attack its neighbours again.” He called for Europe to undertake “confidence building” steps with Russia to build “trust”, while also stressing NATO’s importance to the continent’s defence, according to POLITICO.
Mr Stubb, who attended the College of Europe in the 1990s, said there are “plenty of reasons to be pessimistic” about the deteriorating security picture.
'The light has given way to darkness'
Addressing the students in the audience on Monday, Mr Stubb warned of an increasingly dangerous world where “light has given way to darkness”. He said: “In a sense, I began my studies during an era of light and you begin your studies in an era of darkness. We used to be able to say that the three biggest killers of mankind, disease, famine and wars, have been defeated. That is not true anymore. The light has given way to darkness.”
Mr Stubb said the students would graduate into a “dog-eat-dog world” with more conflicts across the globe at any point since the end of the Second World War, according to POLITICO.
RAF chief warns of existential threats
His comments came as the head of the Royal Air Force warned of potentially “existential” threats facing Britain. Delivering the Lord Trenchard Memorial Lecture at the Royal United Services Institute on Monday, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth said: “The international rules-based order that secured our sanctuary and prosperity for generations is being actively challenged and dismantled by our adversaries. The threats we face are no longer distant storm clouds on the far horizon – they are proximate, they are rapidly evolving, they are multifaceted and, if left unchecked, could prove existential.”
His speech came days after Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned the country should be ready for war in 1,000 days amid intensifying tensions with Russia. Mr Streeting said Britain had until 2030 before its adversaries were potentially in a position to attack.
