The president of Finland want isolation of Russia but also a dialogue. The Kremlin is saying that they will not leave any unfriendly move without an answer.
Stubb should tell us what closing Russian border meant for the economy of Finland. Hotels along the border have closed, supplies from Russia have ended or are sold through third parties and have become more expensive. Finland has a decent, rather diversified economy, so they can manage but is this what they really want? And at any meeting, Russia will demand lifting of restrictions. Is there any point in dialogue? Mind you, sanctions, embargoes and closed borders are other means of a war. Technically, Finaland is at war with Russia although tanks are not rolling and missiles are not flying.
I don’t think that punishing Russia to bring it to a negotiating table is a policy that has been successful. This whole Russia needs to feel pain and it will accept Banderite Ukraine is false but it something that has been chosen by European political elites. Russia would suffer losses short term if it means that Ukraine as a nationalist anti-Russian entity would be neutralized long term. This bargain was self evident for many years and the Europeans are hoping that the damage to Russia will be so great that Moscow will beg for mercy.
