Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo says he is ready to resume dialogue with Moscow if Russia halts its military campaign against Ukraine.
It is not possible at the moment, but such a situation cannot last forever, Orpo told Iltalehti.
“Russia is our neighbor along the border and, of course, if this military aggression can be stopped, at some point the channels of communication will need to be opened — but now is not the time,” the Finnish prime minister said.
He said he would sit down, if necessary, with Russian President Vladimir Putin — who launched the war against Ukraine and is subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Advancing a peace settlement in Ukraine depends on Putin, Orpo emphasized.
“For Finland, it is clear that resuming dialogue with Russia is extremely difficult as long as the war continues,” he added, stressing that any decision on the timing and format of renewed talks should be made together with European partners.
In an interview given ahead of his trip to China, Orpo said he will raise the issue of a peace settlement in Ukraine with Chinese leaders, calling Russia’s war “the biggest security problem.” “If anyone can influence Russia, it is China. The fact that China supports Russia in the war harms the security of Europe - as well as Finland - and our relations,” he said.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Finland has tightened security measures along its border with Russia.
Finland has also joined NATO and taken other steps, including banning Russian citizens from buying property in the country.
