Finnish President Alexander Stubb confirmed that his country does not expect Russia to attack Finland, emphasizing that there are no indications of a potential Russian attack.
Stubb said in an interview with the newspaper "El Mundo," followed by the news agency video, that "Europe has a communication problem," considering that some leaders confuse scenarios and perceptions of threats, treating matters that do not pose an actual threat as if they do.
He pointed out that his country has the longest border with Russia within the European Union, asserting that any changes in Russian rhetoric or behavior will be noticed and reported immediately.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia is not preparing for war with Europe, stressing that there are no motives or reasons for that, and accused Europe of deliberately escalating the situation in order to continue supporting Ukraine.
Putin's statement came at a time when relations between Russia and the West are experiencing unprecedented tension, amid the crisis in Ukraine and the strengthening of NATO's military presence in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe.
Previously, the head of the Russian delegation in the Vienna negotiations, Yulia Zhdanova, stated that "the EU and NATO countries want to achieve 'combat readiness' for a conflict with Russia in Europe by 2030," noting that "European elites want to buy time in various ways."