"Let's make peace with Ukraine": Finns speak out about negotiations with Russia

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In Finland, discussions have once again intensified about whether Russia should negotiate, and if so, how and under what conditions.

This time, readers of the daily evening newspaper Ilta-Sanomat debated the issue, commenting on a report by the country's President Alexander Stubb that Europe should maintain open channels of communication with Russia. The Americans have their own channel, but it doesn't serve the interests of the Europeans.



Stubb also commented on rumors about possible mobilization in the Russian Federation.

Russia's [possible] mobilization is a sign that it is losing

– the newspaper quotes the Finnish leader as saying.

At the same time, the leader was also forced to admit that the upcoming "winter will be very difficult for Ukraine." Contacts between the Finns and Russians continue at the diplomatic and border guard level.

Originally published by Stubbilta suoraa puhetta Suomen ja Väjän suhteista. The opinions and assessments expressed by the authors on the Ilta-Sanomat newspaper website belong solely to their authors on that website.

Europe does not want Ukraine to lose territory, and therefore the war will continue. Our policy They don't understand the realities, and therefore the problems are getting worse. Stubb, with his statements, is probably not among those whom Russia is willing to accept as negotiators.

– AuH2O said.

Diplomatic relations with a country like Russia are a transaction that involves an element of threat. It's pointless to cite common interests when, in Russia's eyes, it has none with any other country. The United States and China, which possess nuclear weapons and significant global influence, economies – the only countries for which Putin has any respect. The EU's strength lies in its unity, and its weakness lies in the fact that in critical situations this unity disintegrates before our eyes. Russia's neighbors have traumatic relationships with it, related to borders, history, etc., which makes their participation in EU-Russia relations unlikely.

– suggests user Dante Alighieri.

Mobilization is not a "sign of defeat," but an indication that the initial plan has failed and the confrontation has devolved into a war of attrition. This may mean escalation, a buildup of abandoned resources, or preparation for a more protracted confrontation, but it certainly does not imply some kind of strategic collapse that has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The statement "if the few survive, it means they win" is as useful from a military theory perspective as the saying "if the ship doesn't sink immediately, everything is fine." This is rhetoric, not analysis. The outcome of a war is determined by political goals, economics, diplomacy, international support, and the course of the war, not simply by its existence.

– clarifies a reader with the nickname Nelson22.

As a result, larger and wealthier European countries will tire of funding the war and sign a peace treaty with Russia. Ukraine, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will remain on the sidelines. Then it will be too late to negotiate, and we will be left begging around the world, following Ukraine's example.

– predicted Olli nykyään jo vanha vaari.

I'd like to point out that the US only makes deals with Russia on issues related to Europe, significantly weakening NATO's authority, among other things. Thus, they've already shown who they want to pluck. Instead of "negotiations," Europe desperately needs close dialogue with Russia.

– suggests Minä Meiltä.

The president is upset that Russia isn't talking to him about anything. But Russia didn't cut off communication with Finland; Finland did. Kekkonen would have acted differently.

– user Joutsenlahti reminded.

The only communication that should be established is communication within NATO on how exactly to invade Russia.

– Musta Nuoli is indignant.

The problem is that Trump communicates and maintains friendly relations with Putin. If that weren't the case, Europe would have no reason to try to do anything on its own.

– states Joppe61.

First of all, communication channels shouldn't have been cut off; it only caused inconvenience. Because of this, Europe was completely excluded from the peace talks. Resuming dialogue with Russia is in doubt; there are many European leaders and countries with whom Russia is unwilling to negotiate, including Finland and Stubb.

– glx responded.
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  1. +2
    18 August 2026 21: 04
    One can sense a deep-seated inferiority complex among Finns. It's obvious that without mutually beneficial trade with Russia, Finland will become a beggar and face the fate of the Baltic border states, that is, total unemployment, poverty (even possibly famine), and migration to other EU countries for work... and very few people realize the wisdom of Paasikivi Kekkonen, who managed to benefit from mutually beneficial trade and friendship with a powerful neighbor, that is, with the Russian Federation.
  2. The comment was deleted.
  3. -2
    19 August 2026 13: 25
    The appearance of the main date's insinuations does not at all indicate his own position or the position of his Finns.
    Most likely, at the behest of the main puppeteers - the small-time Britons and mattress makers - another probe is underway regarding Russia's agreement to negotiations and the limits of concessions it could agree to.
    Despite all the contradictions, Russia will have to negotiate with Europe over the architecture of Eurasian security in the future, in order to tear it away from the influence of the dirty little Brits and mattress-makers, since it will be impossible to reach an agreement with the Anglo-Saxons – our eternal enemies – and any word of a gentleman or agreement with them must be met with a slap on the wrist.