The Kremlin has declared that it wants broader talks on security in Europe to resolve the issue of the war in Ukraine. It's about the presence of the USA and NATO in Europe, according to Lassila.
Russia's fundamental goal is to get the USA out of Europe and thereby leave Europe at Russia's mercy, he says to the news agency STT.
In December 2022, Russia made demands, among other things, that NATO would not expand, and that NATO would withdraw forces from all countries that have joined since 1997. When the defense alliance did not comply with the demands, Russia attacked Ukraine.
Lassila believes it is likely that the demands are the same now, and that Russia sees an opportunity thanks to Trump's willingness to quickly end the war.
A demand to return to NATO's borders in 1997 would in practice include Sweden's and Finland's membership, he assesses.
It's about preparing for it and keeping a cool head, he says.
