Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC, on Thursday as diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine continue amid strained relations between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv.
According to Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the talks will focus on Russia’s war against Ukraine and bilateral relations between Finland and the United States, including cooperation in technology and the economy.
Valtonen said the meeting would provide an opportunity for a confidential discussion about efforts to secure peace in Ukraine. She stressed that Finland supports Ukraine’s goal of achieving a just and lasting peace.
“The meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio comes at a good time and offers an opportunity for a confidential discussion on efforts to secure peace in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Finland supports Ukraine’s objectives for a just and lasting peace,” Valtonen said.
During her visit to Washington, Valtonen is also expected to meet other representatives of the US administration. Foreign and security policy, alongside international economic and technological issues, will feature on the agenda.
The meeting comes as diplomatic contacts involving Finland, the United States, Russia and Ukraine continue to draw attention. Finnish President Alexander Stubb spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the week. Stubb told reporters that the purpose of the conversation was to help keep peace efforts on track.
The 90-minute call prompted both praise and criticism in Finland and abroad, reflecting differing views on direct engagement with Moscow while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.
According to the BBC, Russia has agreed in principle to resume three-way peace talks with the United States and Ukraine next month. However, tensions between Washington and Kyiv have continued, particularly between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Valtonen’s meeting with Rubio provides Finland with an opportunity to discuss the diplomatic process directly with senior US officials, while also addressing the broader security and economic relationship between the two countries. The outcome of the discussions has not been announced in advance.
