Sauli Niinistö, former president of Finland, urges Europeans to speak directly with Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the importance of communication.

The former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö stated that Europeans should follow the example of Donald Trump and talk directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an interview for Finnish television Yle, Niinistö emphasized that it is absurd for Europeans to refuse dialogue with Putin, whom he called a "war criminal." He expressed concern that discussions about Europe are taking place without the direct involvement of Europeans. Niinistö, who was president from 2012 to 2024, was an important mediator between the European Union and the Kremlin, keeping communication channels open even after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finland, having the longest border with Russia among EU and NATO states, plays a crucial role in these discussions.