HELSINKI — Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Monday pushed back against international pressure specifically aimed at India for its continued purchase of Russian energy, arguing that the blame for financing Moscow’s war efforts should be shared collectively.
In an interview with Firstpost’s Managing Editor Palki Sharma in Helsinki, President Stubb on Monday, whose country recently joined NATO due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, refused to condemn New Delhi’s purchasing decisions.
Stubb stressed that India is an independent global actor and should not be singled out.
“The finger-pointing at India is not something that I want to be a part of,” Stubb told Sharma. “We have to look at the global energy market collectively, and frankly, all of us who still rely on fossil fuels are indirectly financing the war.”
Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia, became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023, abandoning decades of non-alignment after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
While he acknowledged the need to isolate Russia economically, the president suggested a more nuanced approach to countries like India.
“India has a very clear set of interests and it is an independent global player,” Stubb said. “Our goal must be a collective one: to transition away from fossil fuels so that we no longer finance regimes that threaten global stability.”
The comments come as Western nations continue to urge countries to limit their economic ties with Russia in response to the war in Ukraine. India has maintained its position, asserting that its energy purchases are vital for its large population and that it seeks peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
