US President Donald Trump stated that the likelihood of Russia attacking Finland is extremely low, noting that Washington would be ready to assist Helsinki should this hypothetical scenario occur.

Trump told reporters during a meeting with his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb, at the White House: “I don’t think President Putin would do that. I think the likelihood is very low.”

When asked if the US would defend Finland if it were attacked by Russia, the US president said: “Yes, I would. They are NATO members and great people, but I don’t think it will happen.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated at the Valdai International Discussion Club meeting that “it is impossible to believe that Russia intends to attack NATO,” calling it “nonsense that European governments try to convince their people of.”

Putin also explained in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that Russia does not intend to attack NATO countries, emphasizing that it “makes no sense.” He added that Western politicians constantly scare their populations with a fake Russian threat to distract from internal problems, noting that “any sensible person knows this is a lie.”

Moscow has for years pointed to unprecedented NATO military activity near its western borders, while the alliance describes these moves as “containing Russian aggression.”

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s military buildup in Europe, with the Kremlin affirming that Moscow threatens no one but will not ignore any moves deemed a threat to its national interests.