Addressing the annual Meeting of the Heads of Mission on Tuesday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Finland was talking about Russia more openly than ever before. He said the dam started cracking when Finland joined the European Union in 1995, finally collapsing when Finland joined Nato last year.
"We don't define our foreign and security policy solely through Russia. There's no going back," he explained.
But there is a new iron curtain in Europe now, according to Stubb, who said that Russia and Belarus are on the other side of it.
He also pointed out that Moscow's war in Ukraine will end someday, at which point Finland will need to reestablish dialogue with its eastern neighbour.
Regarding Russia's hybrid influencing attempts, Stubb suggested that it wasn't always necessary to address every minor incident.
"I urge calm and restraint. We have the situation under control. There's no cause for alarm. It's not worth overdramatising all the rhetoric coming out of Russia," he added.
Ukraine's Kursk offensive meanwhile drew praise from the Finnish head of state, who called the cross-border attack a smart strategic move.
He also said that Finland will not impose any restrictions on the weapons it provides to Ukraine, as long as they are used for defensive purposes and do not violate international law.
"It aligns with both our values and interests that Ukraine wins this war and achieves a just and sustainable peace," he said, noting that if Russia perceives it has succeeded in Ukraine, Europe — including Finland's corner of the world — faces a long period of instability.
Two-state model
The discussion also touched on Finland's role in the Middle East. The opposition Social Democratic Party has called for Finland to recognise a Palestinian state.
Stubb was asked whether this could lead to political conflict should the SDP be in the next government.
"This question is pretty hypothetical. I'm sure we would find common ground on the matter. As I have said, recognising Palestine is only a matter of time," Stubb replied.
"Finland's position is clear. We are neither on the side of Israel nor Palestine. We are on the side of peace," Stubb said, adding that Finland supports a two-state model.
On the topic of Finnish weapons purchases from Israel, Stubb said that he always prioritises security and that Finland acquires weapons based on that principle.
Gazing south
Speaking to the foreign mission heads, the president also emphasised the increasing importance of the global south.
"I believe that the global south will largely determine what the new world order will look like," he said.
This means Finland needs to deepen its ties not only with major countries in the global south, but also with so-called middle powers in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and Central Asia, according to Stubb.
"I will personally do my best to build and strengthen these relationships," he said while encouraging Finnish ambassadors to do the same.
