Finland’s President Urges Europe to Open Direct Talks with Russia

(MENAFN) Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said that European countries should begin direct communication with Russia, while warning that prospects for peace remain unlikely in the near term.

In an interview with Italian newspaper, Stubb said: “It's time to start talking to Russia. When this will happen, I don't know,” according to reports.

He argued that current US policy toward Russia and Ukraine is no longer aligned with European interests, suggesting that Europe must take a more direct diplomatic role with Moscow.

“I believe that peace isn't on the table, at least for this year,” he said, noting that European leaders have discussed how to initiate contact with Russia, though no decision has been reached on the format.

Stubb said coordination among European states remains essential, particularly between the so-called E5 group — Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Poland — as well as Nordic and Baltic countries that border Russia.

He added that discussions are ongoing about whether engagement with Moscow would involve a special envoy or a group of leaders.

When asked about European reluctance to support US actions against Iran, Stubb said the reaction was linked to the fact that US President Donald Trump did not consult European allies before launching the attack, according to his remarks.

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