05Finland / Russia · Geopolitics and security
Stubb argues that talking to Putin is part of deterrence
Facts
President Alexander Stubb says capabilities, credibility and communication reinforce deterrence; Finland and Norway coordinated with Ukraine before contacting Vladimir Putin. Baltic and Danish leaders remain sceptical that dialogue will preserve allied unity.
InterpretationFinland has geographic reason to keep a controlled channel open, but communication creates leverage only when backed by military capacity and Ukrainian consent. The sceptics’ warning is material: Moscow will exploit any visible split, so process discipline matters as much as access.