Finnish Presidential Candidates Clash Over Whether to Respond to Putin's Call

The main candidates who advanced to the second round of the presidential elections in Finland, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, engaged in a debate on whether they should respond to a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This discussion took place during an episode of the Finnish broadcaster Yle's A-Studio program, as reported by Europian Truth.

It turned out that Stubb and Haavisto have differing opinions on whether they should respond if Putin calls to congratulate them upon their election. Stubb highlighted that if Putin were to call to congratulate him, the phone would ring for a long time. “I would not answer. Putin would use that for some sort of propaganda. Right now, we have no relation with Russia,” he said.

In contrast to his competitor, Haavisto stated that he would pick up the phone. “When a head of state calls, we respond. I wouldn't give the phone to the cleaning lady in the presidential palace. I would answer and accept the congratulations,” he said. Haavisto simultaneously ruled out the possibility of any political debate without coordination.