President of Finland Alexander Stubb. Photo: Sven Hoppe/Getty Images
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said that any talks between the US and Russia over the war in Ukraine should not allow the Kremlin to dictate new conditions for European security and create “spheres of influence”. He said this at the Munich Security Conference, AFP reports.
His comment came after an unexpected statement by US President Donald Trump, who said that he had discussed with Vladimir Putin the possibility of immediately starting negotiations to end the war.
Negotiations in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine
Russia proposed to start talks in Saudi Arabia, where, in addition to the Ukrainian issue, broader aspects of European security would be discussed. Washington confirmed its participation in the meeting, but Ukraine did not receive an official invitation.
This has caused concern among the US European allies. They fear that the Kremlin will once again put forward its pre-war demands – restrictions on NATO in Eastern Europe and a reduction in the US military presence on the continent.
“We should not open the door to the Russian illusion of a new European security system where Moscow can establish its own zones of influence,” Stubb said.
Finland supports Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU
The President of Finland stressed that Ukraine’s course towards EU and NATO membership should remain unchanged, regardless of Washington’s position, which may exclude this possibility as part of a potential peace deal with Russia.
According to him, the West should increase sanctions pressure on the Kremlin before any negotiations to force Moscow to make concessions.
European leaders were not invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia, but will meet in Paris on Monday to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the way forward.
