Finland's Niininsto: Trump to continue diplomacy with Putin – DW – 07/28/2025

DW

28-07-2025

Former Finnish President Sauli Niininsto has met Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. DW spoke to him about diplomacy to end the Russian war against Ukraine, NATO and the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.Sauli Niininsto: What we've seen for more than three years is the continuation of the war. It seems that neither Russia nor Ukraine is going to achieve a complete victory. So if nothing else, we must try to reach an agreement through diplomacy.Chancellor Scholz was heavily criticized after he called. But when Trump started doing it regularly, and then Macron took the same step, he was not criticized. So, in a way, European opinion followedPresident Trump here. I guess Trump will continue his kind of diplomacy, and in my opinion, if he does, Europe has to be involved somehow.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoI told him that Putin is a fighter. You have to oppose him. That's very necessary. It doesn't break the discussion. I had the feeling that Putin likes a fight ― that we've seen that in other areas too. That's one element. Another is that whatever new ideas or views Putin supports, be careful if you're not completely aware of everything it might involve. One thing I learned is that he often opens an idea very modestly, even though he's been developing it in his mind for a long time. If you touch it, you're easily drawn into it. So I told Trump, if you don't fully understand what he means, or if it's a completely unknown idea, don't get involved. I also said that Putin likes to be respected ― not accepted, but respected. He considers it respectful when he's opposed, when you fight back.That's a difficult question. I still believe Trump wants to be a peacemaker. I think his position regarding Putin is still the same. But yes, in a way, it is a turning point. We've seen some of those already. Becoming stronger in that discussion, that's already a turning point in itself.There have been time limits before. I think Trump's concrete actions and statements are more meaningful than just the "50 days" limit.I think he has said publicly ― at least a few years ago ― that it's OK.First of all, I hope that Europe becomes a lot stronger militarily. But it's not up to Russia to decide about EU enlargement. That's not their business.
When I said I'd like to see a stronger Europe, I was thinking of a speech Putin gave in 2013 or 2014, where he said the West is weak because people are too idealistic and not ready to face real-world challenges. That's something we have to take seriously. Are we prepared to protect Europe and our countries?
If you have an aggressive neighbor like Russia who thinks you're weak, that's a dangerous combination. So Europe must show strength and be seen as strong from the outside.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoWhat I saw was quite simple ― we are lacking both arms and troops. That's the core problem.
Since then, I think we have to thank both Putin and Trump ― especially Trump. When he was elected, it served as a wake-up call. In Germany, for example, they're now talking about conscription again. We also see a huge increase in financial input to the military within NATO. So a lot seems to be going on, and that's good.In 2021, I started talking about reviving the "Helsinki Spirit." I brought it up because it's important in itself, but also because I saw in 2021 that things were getting worse.
I discussed it with the U.S. administration, President Biden, and also with President Putin. I asked whether something like that could happen again. Could we have something like the Helsinki Spirit, even on a broader global scale?
I got polite answers ― but then, of course, everything changed when Russia attacked Ukraine.
By Helsinki Spirit, I mean what happened in the middle of the Cold War, when world leaders sat at the same table and actually achieved something. I believe it would be very important for humanity if we could someday see the leaders of Russia, China, the United States, maybe others as well, sit at the same table and discuss common problems. Discuss what is going to happen to us.