Finnish President Alexander Stubb's comments about future relations with Russia have sparked significant attention in Russian media. Stubb suggested that new relations could begin once the war is over, emphasizing Finland's historical and future ties with Russia. His remarks have been interpreted as a desire to resolve disputes between the countries, despite current tensions due to Finland's NATO membership.
Finnish President's Remarks on Russia Stir Strong Reactions
Finnish President's Remarks on Russia Stir Strong Reactions
Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that "we will have a future with Russia." This statement has garnered significant attention in Russian media. Stubb's words are interpreted in Russia as Finland wanting to "resolve the dispute between the countries," according to Finnish Yle.
President Stubb commented on the global political situation during a radio program on Saturday.
– New relations with Russia can begin when the war is over, says Stubb.
He also commented on the fact that Finland shares a border with Russia.
– We have a history with Russia, and we will have a future with Russia, says Stubb.
"It is Extremely Rare"
The comments were widely covered by Russian media, where state news agencies and several newspapers quoted Stubb. Several Russian media outlets suggested that Stubb hopes or wants the relations between Russia and Finland to warm up. Some claimed that Stubb wants to "resolve the dispute between the countries."
"It is extremely rare that Finland has no political relations with Russia," writes RT, known as the Kremlin's propaganda voice.
The Russian online newspaper Vojennoye Obozrenie claimed that the relations between Finland and Russia were not destroyed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine but by Finland's decision to join NATO. The newspaper writes that "almost all of Stubb's statements about Ukraine have contained harsh criticism of Russia" since Finland joined NATO.
The Russian news agency Ria and the financial newspaper RBK also write that relations between Russia and Finland deteriorated after Finland joined NATO.
Kremlin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov has previously claimed that the Finnish president's rhetoric towards Russia has changed.
– Russia has never taken any initiatives to worsen relations between the countries. We have been open to mutually beneficial cooperation, said Peskov.
Stubb's Clarification
Later, however, Stubb emphasized that relations with Russia are currently non-existent due to the war in Ukraine.
– One day, when the war is over, new relations will surely be built again, says Stubb to Yle.
According to the president, Finland would adopt a very pragmatic strategy to rebuild relations with Russia again.