Finland Urges Direct Europe-Russia Talks

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said European governments should begin direct dialogue with Russia, arguing that US policy no longer fully serves European interests. He outlined potential outcomes for the war in Ukraine but said a peace agreement is unlikely this year. Stubb stressed the need for coordinated European action and deeper engagement with Ukraine as part of long‑term security planning. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Finland’s President Alexander Stubb speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Finnish President Alexander Stubb said it is time for European governments to begin direct engagement with Russia , arguing that Europe should take a more independent diplomatic role in addressing the war in Ukraine . In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Stubb said Europe can no longer rely solely on US policy toward Moscow , according to the DPA . Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “It’s time to start speaking with Russia. When that will be, I don’t know,” Stubb said on Monday. He added that current US policies on the conflict are “no longer in line with Europe’s interests,” suggesting that European countries should establish their own channel of communication with Moscow. The remarks come amid reports that US President Donald Trump is scaling back military commitments in Europe, including potential troop reductions in Italy and the cancellation of plans to deploy long‑range missiles in Germany - a key element of NATO’s regional deterrence strategy. Discussions have already taken place among European leaders about who should take on that role, though no decision has yet been made, Stubb reported. According to him, any diplomatic initiative would need broad European alignment, particularly among major EU states such as France , Germany, Italy, Poland , and the UK , as well as the Nordic and Baltic countries bordering Russia. “Whether this will be a special envoy or a group of leaders, we will see,” he added. Other Topics of Interest Did May 9 Mark a Turning Point in the War? Putin’s May 9 Victory Day parade was a study in weakness: no military hardware, a handful of allied leaders, and a 45-minute runtime. Ukraine’s drone campaign forced him to seek Trump’s protection – exposing his vulnerability. Meanwhile, Ukraine has seized the strategic initiative, Europe has stepped up financing and arms, and the US under Trump has made itself irrelevant to the war’s outcome. The Finnish president also outlined three possible future scenarios for Ukraine: a prolonged continuation of the war, a ceasefire followed by negotiations, or the collapse of one of the sides - which he suggested would most likely be Russia. “I believe that the possibility of a peace deal is not on the table, at least not for this year,” Stubb said. Despite calling for dialogue, Stubb emphasized that Europe will need Ukraine’s support and should begin working with Kyiv on the assumption that it will remain part of Europe both during and after the war, according to Ukrinform . He also highlighted the scale of military resources in the region, noting that Europe fields around 2 million active troops, compared with roughly 1.3 million in Russia and about 800,000 in Ukraine. His comments come amid a growing European debate on balancing support for Ukraine with the need for long‑term pressure on Russia. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.