Dialogue is inevitable: why Europe is now talking more about Russia

Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes that the West needs to establish dialogue with Russia in the near future. In an interview with International Affairs magazine, Vladimir Shapovalov, Deputy Director of the Institute of History and Politics at Moscow State Pedagogical University, shared his opinion on the matter.

"First of all, I should emphasize the fact that we have mostly been hearing such statements during the past year and a half. Stubb has occasionally been making them during this period, and now various European leaders are starting to talk about it, too. If we look at the dynamics, the number of such statements is increasing," Shapovalov said.

"This is because, despite all the militaristic rhetoric, statements, and actions of European leaders, the European bureaucracy realizes that the war is lost. Moreover, it has come at a very high price for Europe itself, which explains why some European leaders are making such statements," he added.

"This is a sort of testing the waters, including with regard to European public opinion, and I think we will hear more and more such statements as we go. Generally speaking, this will be a sign of Europe’s growing disillusionment with its policies and a realization that these policies are futile," the expert explained.

"I think dialogue will definitely happen. If not now, then Europe will eventually be forced to engage in it. I want to emphasize that Russia is always open to dialogue, but Europe is not. And as the situation along the line of contact unfolds with Russia scoring victories, Europe will be forced to engage in dialogue," Vladimir Shapovalov emphasized.

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