Finnish President Alexander Staab, in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, stated the importance of a direct conversation with Russia in order to be part of the negotiations.
"If we want to be part of the negotiations, then we cannot be silent and enter a mute state. But we have to talk directly with the Russians."
He also referred to the conversation with Vladimir Putin: "Very insightful, analytical, very prepared and very calm in the way he conducts the conversation."
Staub added that Putin "definitely knows how to listen." At the same time, the Russian position regarding the situation around Ukraine has not changed.