Former Finnish President Calls for EU Direct Talks with Putin to End Ukraine War
HELSINKI – Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has urged the European Union to establish direct communication channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Niinistö criticized the current situation where former U.S.President Donald Trump engages with Putin while European leaders refrain from direct dialog, suggesting the EU risks being sidelined in potential peace talks.
“I still see something rather absurd in the situation where Europeans declare that they won’t talk to the war criminal Putin,yet Trump talks to him and then we go and listen to find out what they discussed,” Niinistö said in comments to the Finnish state broadcaster Yle on Monday. “Simultaneously occurring, we slightly worry that they might talk over Europe’s head. I think it might be wise for Europe, too, to hold those discussions itself, just as Trump does.”
Niinistö served as Finland’s president from 2012 to 2024, a period culminating in the country’s historic entry into NATO following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Finland’s shift towards NATO membership marked a significant change in the country’s long-held policy of military non-alignment, driven by heightened security concerns in the wake of the conflict.
The call for direct engagement has met with resistance within the current Finnish government. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated that the timing is not right for such talks, citing the ongoing war and the Kremlin’s perceived lack of commitment to genuine peace negotiations. “dialogue for its own sake is not the goal,” she told reporters.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen echoed Valtonen’s position, emphasizing the need for any future contact with Russia to be coordinated across the EU. “We’re stronger when we speak with one voice,” Orpo was quoted as saying.
Simultaneously occurring, current Finnish President Alexander Stubb indicated earlier this year that Helsinki should “mentally prepare” to restore relations with Russia after the war in Ukraine concludes. The kremlin responded by stating Putin is open to “mutually beneficial and respectful” ties with Finland should Helsinki desire them.
