Finnish Foreign Minister warns of Russia's structural stability

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has expressed concerns regarding Russia's structural stability, suggesting the country may be undergoing its “last death throes” before reaching a breaking point. Her comments come amid high-level negotiations involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine aimed at ending the war.

Valtonen cautioned against a policy of concessions toward Russia, arguing that the Kremlin is adept at extracting maximum benefits from such approaches and will likely demand more in the future. She noted that while President Donald Trump is leading negotiations for the U.S., his priorities may not align with European security interests.

Valtonen emphasized that Europeans must take responsibility for their own security, noting that a peace settlement viewed favorably from across the Atlantic might undermine the long-term security of both Ukraine and the broader European security order. She also characterized Vladimir Putin's public willingness to negotiate as a tactic, suggesting he says what the U.S. wants to hear while pursuing different objectives behind the scenes.