Finland Says EU-Russia Talks Are Premature as Europe Weighs Restoring Political and Trade Ties
Updated
Updated · Eurasia Daily · Jun 28
Finland Says EU-Russia Talks Are Premature as Europe Weighs Restoring Political and Trade Ties
3 articles · Updated · Eurasia Daily · Jun 28
Summary
Elina Valtonen said political negotiations with Russia should not begin yet, rejecting the idea that Europe is ready for talks at the ministerial level.
The Finnish foreign minister told FAZ that official preparations are acceptable, but now is not the time for Europe to revisit political relations or trade links with Moscow.
Her remarks answer weeks of European media discussion about possible EU-Russia contacts and show Helsinki pushing back against any early diplomatic opening.
Antonio Costa, the European Council president criticized over floating such an initiative, had already retreated, but Valtonen’s comments underline that resistance still runs through EU capitals.