Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that current Middle East tensions are "not a NATO matter" as the alliance is defensive. This clarification was made following a summit of the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Helsinki.

• The JEF leaders acknowledged the Middle East crisis has highlighted the importance of maritime security and trade routes.
• Key participants included leaders from the 10-member JEF: Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
• The JEF countries agreed to enhance deterrence and peacetime activities, including countering hybrid threats and improving responses to security challenges. They also committed to deepening coordination in their core geostrategic areas and strengthening support for Ukraine.