Before the peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Finland’s foreign minister Elina Valtonen urged the U.S. administration of Donald Trump to raise pressure on Russia. “Moscow could end this war at any time, but it deliberately chooses not to” she told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”. Her message to the United States was clear: “Look at the big picture. Ukraine is ready for peace; Russia is not. Now the U.S. must apply decisive pressure on Russia so that this war ends”.
Valtonen added that it is not up to Zelensky. Across all recent meetings-in Abu Dhabi, in Davos, and elsewhere-Russia has consistently denied any willingness for peace. She echoed requests from France, Italy and other states that new talks with Putin should begin only with a firm rejection. “A European‑initiated call with Putin at this point would send the wrong signal” she said.
She noted that Russia has been carrying out brutal attacks that deliberately target civilians, and that whether a real ceasefire exists will become clear in the coming days. Any phone call with Putin must involve close coordination among European governments, with a shared goal and strategy. “So far I have not seen a single strategy” she clarified. She explained that such a call would not change course or lead to rapprochement.
Valtonen also rejected recognizing the Crimea and other occupied territories as part of Russian territory in a peace agreement. “As Finland’s foreign minister I would never do that” she affirmed.
