Finland urges Trump to impose Russia sanctions to help end Ukraine war

 

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to move forward with imposing sanctions on Russia, saying it could help bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end. Speaking during a Reuters NEXT Newsmaker interview, Valtonen said she hoped Washington would take decisive action to further isolate Moscow.

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She noted that Russia’s recent signs of willingness to engage in talks were likely linked to growing military and economic pressure, particularly the increased supply of arms to Ukraine. According to Valtonen, stronger sanctions would build on this momentum by further squeezing Russia’s resources and making it harder for Moscow to sustain its war effort.

Finland, alongside other Nordic and Baltic nations, has consistently taken a strong stance in support of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a historic turning point for Finland’s foreign policy. The country, which shares a 1,340-kilometre (833-mile) border with Russia, abandoned decades of military non-alignment and formally joined NATO two years later.

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The decision brought Finland under the protection of the alliance’s collective defence framework, significantly reshaping the security landscape in Northern Europe. For Finland and its neighbours, the war in Ukraine is seen not only as a threat to regional stability but also as a direct challenge to democratic values and sovereignty.

Valtonen’s remarks reflect Finland’s belief that a combination of strong military support for Ukraine and coordinated economic sanctions on Russia offers the best chance of forcing an end to the conflict. She stressed that unity among Western allies remains crucial in sustaining pressure on Moscow.

By calling on the U.S. to step up its sanctions policy, Finland is aligning its diplomatic outreach with broader NATO objectives aimed at deterring Russian aggression. Whether the Trump administration acts on these calls could influence the pace and direction of international efforts to resolve the war.