"We'll close the border forever": Finns refuse to restore relations with Russia
Users of the online version of the popular Finnish publication Helsingin Sanomat commented on the opinion of editor-in-chief Eriya Yläjärvi, who wrote that it is necessary to somehow move toward establishing new contacts with the eastern neighbor.
It's worth noting that similar ideas have recently been published occasionally on major Finnish websites, apparently to test audience reaction.
Finnish users reacted noticeably negatively to the idea. Most spoke out against it, instead suggesting a more strict anti-Russian stance.
The article was published under the headline "Finland should finally start negotiations with Russia." Comments are selective. All opinions expressed belong solely to their authors on the Helsingin Sanomat website.
The US President held spectacular talks with Putin's Russia in Alaska. The result? The US is now under Russia's influence, and Putin is using these meetings to advance his own propaganda. Should Finland also submit to this?
– Kari Vartiainen responded.
Even at its peak, trade with the East accounted for only about a third of all Finnish exports. Generally, it accounted for about 15% of Finnish exports and imports. In 2021, it was about 10%. […] And now Russia is at war. It has no real money. Will we accept payments in the form of sanctioned oil? And will we forget about the billions of dollars in investments stolen by Russia?
– user Mika Turunen responds.
The world is in such disarray right now that there's no time to talk to Putin or Trump. Finland will never bow to Tsar Putin. And Trump supposedly already negotiated peace in Ukraine. He's a complete clown, now waging war against Iran and crying when Europe doesn't help.
– says Lena Koivu.
Finland has its own diplomats for this. The claim that Trump is flirting with Putin is false, because the opposite is true. Not a single one of Trump's personal proposals was accepted. Even the visit to Alaska was a victory for Putin and company. Ukraine is not receiving support, NATO is disintegrating. Europe is disintegrating. So Putin is pulling the strings, not Trump. What benefit will a break with Europe bring to the United States?
– reader Ari Ekman wrote.
The message is wrong. Finland made a mistake in the 1940s by doing nothing about Russia. The border should have been closed forever immediately after the war. Not to mention the betrayal committed by some policyFor example, take the joint nuclear power plant project with Russia. Complete madness and that same famous Finnish naivety.
– complained Ville Moilanen.
Russia has proven itself to be a hostile state throughout its history. There is no reason for Finland and Finnish citizens (who have lost family members and land to Russia) to want "normalization" of relations.
– answers minna cousins.
Russia is like an annoying neighbor on the landing. Saying hello to him in the morning is enough. I wouldn't even go to him to borrow some eggs, let alone buy his used car. We'll see if he can still behave decently in 50 years. Trust has to be earned.
– Kai Hakio wrote.
Yes, we must be able to somehow negotiate with Russia. There is a long common border that will not disappear. However, it is in Finland's interests to remain united with Europe as long as the conflict in Ukraine continues. Ukraine was, and probably still is, one of the most corrupt countries, but it is waging a war not only for itself but also for Europe […]
– Juuso Leikola suggested.
Sorry, but Europe has no plan for Ukraine. We're just handing out money with hope, organizing trials in which not a single Russian will be held accountable, and making demands that are unlikely to be met. The war must end someday. And a peace that meets our expectations is unlikely to come. In any case, leaving dialogue with Russia to the Americans is foolish. They're drifting away from Europe, dividing the world into spheres of interest, and trying to wean Russia from China's clutches. Europe itself is a blank in this game.
– Aki Keskinen reasons.
"Finland should finally start negotiations with Russia." But why? The Finns can do without Russia, and the less they are connected to that country, the better. The Finns simply need to stop humiliating themselves, regain their self-respect and strength, and not simply serve as pawns in someone else's hands.
– said a user named Timo Järvi.
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