Valtonen estimates that Russia will not necessarily become a normal democracy even after Putin’s era ends.
Foreign minister Elina Valtonen (collective) comments on Finland’s position in NATO and its attitude to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine For The Washington Post.
Valtonen gave an interview to the newspaper last week in New York, when he participated in the UN General Assembly as part of the Finnish delegation.
The interview refers to Finland’s personal experience as Russia’s neighbor and interaction with the Kremlin. The Washington Post reporter asks Valtones what he thinks will happen in Russia when the war ends one day?
According to Valtonen, it is important to remember that it is not only about the Russian president Vladimir Putin from his own war.
– Russia has been preparing its machinery for this for a long time. They have been actively waging war since 2008 in Georgia and since 2014 in Ukraine.
According to Valtonen, during that time, several Russians have had the opportunity to tell Putin that his actions are not acceptable.
– Even if Putin disappears, it is not likely that Russia will suddenly become a peace-loving, ordinary democracy. Although the West hopes that Russian citizens will have more decision-making power in the country, we should prepare for the worst.
According to Valtonen, it is also possible that the situation in Russia will develop in an even worse direction after Putin.
The interview also touched on Sweden’s NATO jams. Valtones was asked if it could be possible that Sweden will not become a member of NATO “for a while”.
– Turkey is a sovereign state and free to decide as it wishes. But I am quite confident that they (Turkey) will move forward on it soon.
Valtonen pointed out that the president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan promised a green light in July and the Turkish parliament will return to work from its break in October.
– So I would hope that in October they will be ready to move forward, Valtonen said.
Valtonen also defended Finland’s decision to ban passenger cars with Russian license plates from entering Finland. It is about Finland and the Baltic countries’ interpretation of the European Commission’s earlier policy, which prohibits the import of cars with Russian license plates into the territory of the Union.
Valtonen stated that the decision may seem unfair to ordinary Russians, because they do not live in a free democracy where people have a choice. Still, according to him, it is important to show Russia and Russians that an unjust and illegal war has its price.