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Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has called on European leaders to refrain from making new phone calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking on ARD, Valtonen emphasized the need for European allies to exercise restraint toward the Kremlin.
“The most important thing is to understand that we must not engage in another race for the Kremlin’s attention. It won’t help if European heads of state make coordinated or uncoordinated phone calls to Putin,” she said in an interview with ARD Europe.
According to Valtonen, a coordinated response is required—not only with the United States but, most importantly, with Ukraine.
Valtonen also mentioned that during Monday’s meeting of foreign ministers, new sanctions against Russia would be discussed, including restrictions on its “shadow fleet.” She noted that these measures are not only about preventing the circumvention of existing sanctions but also addressing environmental harm caused to the region.
Background Context
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently stated that Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine has proven the ineffectiveness of “telephone diplomacy.”
Additionally, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha highlighted that Russia’s massive missile strike on Ukraine was Putin’s response to those who recently contacted or visited him.
On November 15, it was reported that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had spoken with Putin for the first time in two years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to this call as a “Pandora’s box.”
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