The State Duma assessed Stubb's candidacy as a negotiator on Ukraine

If Finnish President Alexander Stubb is chosen as the special representative for negotiations on behalf of the European Union (EU) with Russia on the Ukrainian issue, he may express an aggressive position towards the Russian Federation. This opinion was expressed by State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova on Wednesday, January 14.

Zhurova noted that Finland is the country that should be the first to restore relations with Russia. This is one of the first serious European states that used to maintain good-neighborly relations, but now it is taking an aggressive position towards Russia, she noted.

"Finland and Estonia are two countries that should start restoring relations with us. But given the rhetoric, sanctions against us, and border closures that continue to take place, I do not know if they are ready to negotiate. If they are ready to negotiate and lift sanctions, then I understand the choice. And if on the contrary, then all negotiations will be conducted aggressively," the parliamentarian concluded in a conversation with Lenta.Ru .

"The standard of living in the EU is under threat, and society will demand changes"

MEP Fernand Kartheiser — on the prospects of dialogue with the Russian Federation, the risks of conflict between Moscow and NATO, as well as on new parliamentary contacts

Earlier in the day, Politico newspaper reported that a number of high-ranking EU representatives had come out in support of the initiative to create the post of special representative for Ukraine, RT reports. The initiator of the proposal was Stubb, who also expressed his willingness to take up this post, writes Moscow 24.

On January 13, Politico newspaper wrote that the statements of the leaders of Italy and France about the need for the EU to start negotiations with Russia in the future found support in some European countries. 360.ru . It was noted that there are a number of issues that cannot be resolved exclusively with the United States, since they directly affect the security of the EU.

The head of the European Commission's press service, Paula Pinho, noted on January 12 that EU countries will inevitably have to negotiate with Russia, IA Regnum reports.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.