The President of Finland called for direct dialogue with Russia.
In an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Alexander Staub described Vladimir Putin as a "very insightful and willing" interlocutor. Referring to a previous phone conversation with the Russian leader, the Finnish president called the conversation "good and direct."
According to Staub, the refusal to establish contact deprives European countries of the possibility to influence the situation.
"If we want to participate in negotiations, we cannot remain silent and disengage. We need to talk directly with the Russians," said the politician.