Russia open to restoring relations with willing nations, says Kremlin

Moscow responds to Finnish president’s remarks on future ties.

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov smiles during a meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace on March 13, 2025, in Moscow, Russia. Photo by Contributor/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Russian government has expressed its openness to normalizing relations with countries that seek engagement, responding to recent remarks by Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia has not been the one to sever ties with its neighbors.

"President (Vladimir) Putin has repeatedly said that our country is open to normalizing relations with those who want it," Peskov stated. His comments came after Stubb, during a visit to Britain on Monday, acknowledged that Finland must “prepare itself mentally” to re-establish ties with Russia, emphasizing that Moscow will remain a neighboring country indefinitely.

Kremlin: Finland and Sweden chose to cut ties

Peskov asserted that Russia never initiated the deterioration of relations with Finland or other neighboring nations. Instead, he pointed fingers at Helsinki and Stockholm, accusing them of actively dismantling previously stable diplomatic and economic ties.

"There is no problem, there is mutually beneficial cooperation. Companies from both countries receive dividends and benefits from this cooperation," Peskov noted. "Unfortunately, this is the sad state of our relations that we see now."

Since Finland and Sweden formally joined NATO, tensions between the Nordic countries and Russia have escalated. Peskov accused them of deliberately increasing NATO’s military presence within their borders, a move Moscow perceives as a direct provocation.

"The leadership of Finland and Sweden is dragging NATO military infrastructure onto their territory," Peskov claimed, adding that such actions further complicate any future efforts to rebuild ties.

Trump threatens new sanctions against Russia

Beyond relations with Finland, Peskov also addressed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential new sanctions on Russia. Trump, in an interview on Sunday, criticized Putin for questioning the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and warned of additional measures against Moscow’s oil sector if Russia failed to contribute to ceasefire negotiations.

Peskov acknowledged that diplomatic discussions between Moscow and Washington remain active but described the situation as complex.

"The topic is very complex – the substance that we are discussing, related to the Ukrainian settlement, requires a lot of additional efforts," he stated.

The possibility of fresh U.S. sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector could further strain relations, adding pressure on Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The uncertain future of Russia’s diplomatic ties

As Russia signals its willingness to restore relations with nations that seek engagement, the broader geopolitical landscape remains uncertain. Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership has significantly altered the dynamics in Northern Europe, while tensions between Russia and the West persist over Ukraine.

The Kremlin’s stance suggests that Moscow is prepared to mend ties under certain conditions, but whether its neighbors reciprocate remains to be seen. As international pressure mounts and new sanctions loom, the future of Russia’s diplomatic and economic relationships continues to hang in the balance.