MEP Pekka Toveri spoke on Tuesday 11.3.2025 at the plenary session in Strasbourg during the debate on the future of European defence. The European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2025 on the white paper on the future of European defence was adopted by 419 votes in favour, 204 against and 46 abstentions. In the resolution, the Parliament stresses the need for rapid action within the EU to ensure security in the region. Commissioner Kubilius, responsible for defence and space, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kallas, have prepared a White Paper on the Future of European Defence, which is due to be presented at next week’s European Council.

MEP Pekka Toveri’s speech, White paper of the future of European defence (debate), Strasbourg 11.3.2025

“Madam President, dear colleagues, some people in this plenary question the need for defence investments. Either they say that we should try diplomacy or that Russia is not a threat – both are wrong. Russia has broken the Minsk agreements and other agreements hundreds of times and it is well recorded. We can’t trust Russia. Diplomacy won’t work.

Those who say that Russia is not a threat normally come from countries that has not been attacked, occupied, raped and pillaged dozens of times through history like Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and many other countries have. Don’t lecture us about peaceful Russia, we know better!

Europe has finally – after decades of inaction – started to take the right steps towards our security and defence. Let us continue on this path.

I have three children, all in the Finnish army reserves, ready to defend us all. I want them to be properly equipped to do that. We must and we can afford to do that. Otherwise, saying that is not true, it is a lie.

And to those who claim that Russia’s defence budget is much smaller than Europe’s, please Google purchasing power parity and the Russian defence budget – you will be surprised.”