Kathrine Frich
Pressure is growing inside Western capitals for a tougher response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
As Washington debates its next move, Finland’s president says economic coercion is the only language the Kremlin still understands.
His comments come as the United States prepares to vote on a sweeping sanctions package with cross-party backing.
A push for tougher measures
In an interview with Politico, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the United States must adopt sanctions capable of “paralyzing” Russia’s economy.
He argued that only overwhelming financial pressure would push Vladimir Putin toward negotiations to end the conflict.
Stubb described a recent round of diplomacy involving Donald Trump and the Kremlin.
According to him, the former president first tried conciliatory gestures during a meeting in Alaska and in a call with Putin. When no progress emerged, he reversed course.
“Trump alternates between carrot and stick policies. He tried the carrot option at the Alaska meeting and in the phone conversation with Putin. When he realized that the Russians were not willing to make concessions and were not pursuing peace, he switched to the stick. We are currently in the maximum pressure phase. The Senate vote on the new sanctions is coming up,” Stubb told the outlet.
Sanctions awaiting approval
The sanctions bill, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, is now awaiting the president’s signature.
Politico reported that Trump signalled on Sunday that the legislation “suits him”, prompting lawmakers to speed up the process.
Stubb said the direction taken in Washington is justified, insisting that the Russian president has shown little interest in serious talks.
He argued that meaningful change inside the Kremlin is driven by a narrow circle.
“The only people Putin listens to are the oligarchs. If they see that the economy is collapsing, then things can change,” he said.
Economic pressure mounts
In October, the United States imposed penalties on major Russian energy companies Rosneft and Lukoil and on their subsidiaries.
According to Ziare.com, the measures were designed to erode Moscow’s wartime revenue streams at a time when its economy remains under strain.
Stubb believes that hitting the Russian elite where it hurts financially is the only realistic path to negotiations.
By targeting sectors essential to Kremlin-linked business networks, he argues, the United States can shift the internal dynamics around Putin’s decision-making.
His comments align with efforts across Europe to reinforce sanctions coordination and crack down on networks that help Moscow bypass restrictions.
Sources: Politico, Ziare.com
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
