Finland warns US against NATO Article 5-style security pledges to Ukraine

Finland has cautioned US officials against referring to future security commitments to postwar Ukraine as “Article 5-like,” warning that such language could dilute the meaning of NATO’s core mutual defence clause, according to a US State Department cable obtained by POLITICO.

Dated January 20, the cable highlights concerns in Helsinki over how security guarantees are framed amid potential peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, underscoring the sensitivity of terminology in national security discussions even when used as shorthand or analogy.

The message, sent from the US Embassy in Helsinki to Washington, recounts a January 19 meeting between Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and US Representatives Jack Bergman and Sarah Elfreth, both members of the House Armed Services Committee.

During the talks, Valtonen reiterated Finland’s assessment of Russia as a “long-term strategic threat” and warned against any peace settlement for Ukraine that would be perceived as weak, or that could limit Kyiv’s ability to defend itself against future Russian aggression.

At the same time, Valtonen explicitly cautioned against describing postwar security arrangements for Ukraine as resembling NATO’s Article 5, arguing that such phrasing risks blurring the line between the alliance’s collective defence obligations and any bilateral or multilateral assurances extended to Ukraine. 

She stressed the need for a clear “firewall” between NATO commitments and future security guarantees for Kyiv, a view later echoed by Finland’s defence minister.

Article 5, the cornerstone of the NATO treaty, commits all 32 members to treat an attack on one as an attack on all and has been invoked only once, following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Finnish officials, while supportive of strengthening Ukraine’s security, have signalled caution over using the term “guarantee,” which they view as carrying far-reaching legal and political implications.

A Finnish official, speaking anonymously, said Valtonen’s office would not comment on confidential discussions but reaffirmed Helsinki’s long-term objective of Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership, noting that Finland seeks the strongest possible security arrangements for Ukraine in support of a durable peace. 

Former NATO officials and analysts noted the cable reflects broader unease among allies about how commitments to a postwar Ukraine could shape their own long-term security obligations.

By Jeyhun Aghazada