Finnish professor says West plans to review relations with Russia

Western leaders want to save face before the citizens of their countries in case of resetting relations with Russia. This was stated by Tuomas Malinen, a professor at the University of Helsinki.

"Now, most likely, the most discussed issue in European cabinets will be how to save face in front of the population after they make a 180-degree turn with regard to Russia," he wrote on the X network (former Twitter).

Malinen also specified that such a development is possible if there is no escalation of the Ukrainian conflict in the near future.

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Earlier, on December 27, Professor Malinen criticized the head of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen for the fact that she is ready to impose anti-Russian sanctions to the detriment of Europeans and entering into a conflict with Russia is more important to her than serving the residents of the EU.

Before that, on December 16, the EU foreign ministers finally approved the 15th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. The list of restrictions includes 54 individuals and 30 organizations. Restrictions are also imposed on 52 vessels, which are subject to a ban on entry to ports and a wide range of services related to maritime transport. In addition, the airline Utair was included in this package of anti-Russian sanctions.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the 15th package of restrictions illegal and pointed out that it threatens global energy security.