Finland will begin to redefine its relationship with Russia once the conflict in Ukraine ends, President Alexander Stubb said.

“Russia is and will remain our neighbour,” Mr Stubb told Finland’s Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki.

He added that their shared border need not become an “iron curtain”.

He said Finland would redefine its relationship with Russia “from a new position” once the conflict ends, noting that Finland is now a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

“The border between Finland and Russia has become a border between NATO and Russia. This need not mean an iron curtain,” Mr Stubb said.

He added that he hoped “the time will come when we can once again have a functioning relationship as neighbours,” while stressing that Russia’s own actions would determine how the relationship evolves.

Turning to broader foreign and security policy, Mr Stubb said Finland should seek to strengthen its influence as the international order undergoes profound change.

“Finland cannot afford to sit on the sidelines of history,” he said, adding that the ongoing transition brings both risks and opportunities.

Mr Stubb said Finland’s influence is built on both strong bilateral relations and active engagement in international organisations, highlighting the United Nations as one of the key channels.

He said Finland is seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2029-2030 term at a time when “the future direction of the world order is being decided.”

Finland formally launched its campaign for the seat in June, with the election scheduled for June 2028. 

(Xinhua/NAN)