Putin is open to restoring Russia-Finland ties if Helsinki is, Kremlin says

Putin is open to restoring Russia-Finland ties if Helsinki is, Kremlin says

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin was open to the idea of restoring relations between Finland and Russia, which it accused Helsinki of reducing to "nearly zero" after it joined NATO.

Stubb's initiative to normalize relations is praised by diplomats. The Kremlin's response: We are ready if you are.

Moscow says it is ready to restore ties with Finland

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to restoring diplomatic relations with Finland, describing the current state of bilateral ties as “nearly zero”. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the deterioration followed Finland’s decision to join NATO in 2023, which Moscow considers a strategic miscalculation. He said Russia was willing to normalise relations “with those who wish to do so”.

Ukraine a case study in how NZ needs to change defence spending

The Labour leader says an increase in defence spending is justified regardless of whether New Zealanders support it or not.

In Finland, in view of German discussions on conscription and warworthiness, the country on the border with Russia is prepared for everything.

Finland pledges defense spending increase to 3 percent GDP by 2029

The new funding decision lets Finland “answer to the current security situation in Europe and the military threat posed by Russia," according to defense minister Antti Häkkänen.