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Finnish president says Europe may engage in dialogue with Russia this year

When asked whether he can act as a mediator, the Finnish president said that if he is asked, "it will probably be difficult to say ‘no"

Finnish President Alexander Stubb AP Photo/Thomas Padilla/Pool

Finnish President Alexander Stubb

© AP Photo/Thomas Padilla/Pool

STOCKHOLM, May 24. /TASS/. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said that he doesn’t rule out that Europe may engage in dialogue with Russia already this year.

"I can imagine that Europe will engage in dialogue with Russia this or that way this year. However, it is impossible to say right now when this happens," he said answering questions from the audience of the Yle broadcaster.

When asked whether he can act as a mediator, he said that if he is asked, "it will probably be difficult to say ‘no."

Western media outlets name Stubb as a candidate for a European mediator at potential talks with Moscow. Commenting on his candidature, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Finnish leader tops the list of Western elites’ representatives who use the language of hatred when speaking about Russia.

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