Stubb calls Putin an insightful and calm interlocutor

Assessment of the dialogue with Moscow

The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö Stubb, assessed his recent phone conversation with the head of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. In a comment to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he described his interlocutor as “very insightful, analytical and well-prepared” (very insightful, analytical and well-prepared), and also noted that he conducted the conversation “very calmly” (very calmly).

The Finnish leader characterised the contact itself as “good and candid” (good and candid). It is worth noting that the Prime Minister of Norway also participated in this phone call.

Position on participation in the peace process

Stubb emphasised the need for direct communication from the Russian side for any future negotiations. In his words, if participating countries wish to be part of the negotiation process, they should not avoid contact or “keep the mute button on”.

“If we want to participate in the negotiations, we cannot stay on the sidelines and keep the ‘mute’ button pressed. On the contrary, we must communicate directly with the Russians,” (If we want to participate in the negotiations, we cannot stay on the sidelines and keep the ‘mute’ button pressed. On the contrary, we must communicate directly with the Russians) the President of Finland stressed.

Scepticism about the outcome of the Abu Dhabi meeting

Despite his positive assessment of the personal dialogue with Putin, Stubb expressed caution regarding the prospects for peace talks scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi. According to the newspaper, he does not place great hopes on these meetings.

The President of Finland does not expect a quick agreement to be signed, nor a quick meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. In his words, a successful outcome of the discussions in Abu Dhabi would be reaching an agreement on the next meeting at the technical level.