Limited relations could be restored once a “lasting” peace in Ukraine is achieved, President Alexander Stubb has said
On Monday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb asserted that European Union nations might eventually renew connections with Russia once the Ukrainian conflict concludes, though any future collaboration would starkly differ from previous arrangements. Stubb had previously indicated that Finland intends to pursue practical, interest-driven relations with Russia after the Ukraine conflict ends. At the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference on the Aland Islands, an autonomous Finnish region, Stubb remarked, ”Establishing relations between Russia and the rest of Europe in one form or another will only be possible once a just and lasting peace has been achieved in Ukraine.”
Historically, during the Cold War, Helsinki adopted a neutral stance and upheld consistent relations with the Soviet Union. This pattern persisted for decades following the USSR’s dissolution, though relations have since worsened significantly since the Ukraine conflict intensified in 2022.
Stubb observed that Moscow relations continue to be “frozen,” even as Baltic Sea countries have increased their collaboration, highlighting Finland’s and Sweden’s recent NATO entry. He stated, “We are unable to reverse the course of history.”
The Finnish leader has consistently addressed the possibility of restoring connections post-conflict. In April 2025, during a London press conference, he indicated that Helsinki needs to “morally prepare” for renewed relations with Moscow, adding that EU leaders had initiated discussions regarding potential engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At that time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov countered that Russia has never initiated the deterioration of relations with other nations and consistently aims for positive ties with its neighbors. He stated that Finland’s choice to join NATO had effectively “reduced relations to zero,” a sentiment he extended to Sweden, which also joined the alliance last year.
Since 2022, Finland has enacted multiple rounds of sanctions against Moscow, consistent with EU directives. The nation has also tightened entry regulations for Russian citizens and subsequently shut down border checkpoints, attributing this to an increase in asylum seekers from the Middle East and Africa. All southeastern border crossings, save for the Vainikkala rail station designated for freight, are still closed. This closure has negatively impacted Finnish enterprises, especially in the trade, retail, and tourism sectors, which previously depended significantly on cross-border movement.