Finnish Foreign Minister urges Western leaders not to call Putin
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (photo: Getty Images)
Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has urged Western leaders to cease making phone calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the minister's interview with Germany's ARD television network.
Valtonen made the statement in the context of a recent call to the Russian president by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"The most important thing is that we understand we must not engage in yet another race for attention from the Kremlin," the diplomat said.
She emphasized that Western leaders should establish a coordinated approach to communication with Moscow.
Scholz's phone call with Putin
Last Friday, November 15, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held his first phone call in two years with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the conversation, the German leader condemned the war, urged Putin to withdraw troops, and discussed potential negotiations with Kyiv.
Later, Scholz stated that the Kremlin leader had not altered his stance on the war. However, the chancellor added that "it was still necessary to speak with him" ahead of the G20 summit.
Reaction of Ukraine and European countries
Official Kyiv criticized the phone call, with Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stating that such talks weaken the West in the eyes of the dictator and will not contribute to achieving peace.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the call opens Pandora's box.
French President Emmanuel Macron noted that Putin has no plans to end the war and is instead preparing to escalate the fighting.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has no intention of calling the Russian leader.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remarked that such calls will not stop Putin.
