Finland's President Sauli Niinisto will speak by phone with Vladimir Putin today to address the conflict in Ukraine, following requests from Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz to maintain contact with the Russian President.

"Despite everything, it is still important to try to maintain contact with Russia," Niinisto said at a press conference quoted by Lusa.

The message he received from French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, both of whom have repeatedly tried to intercede with the Russian leader since the February 24 invasion of Ukraine began, was that one should "maintain as much contact with Putin as possible."

The Finnish President has long maintained a regular dialogue with Putin.

While warning against an escalation of the conflict, he reiterated that Finland, as a neutral country neighboring Russia, should decide "without hesitation but with discernment" on its NATO membership.

The Russian Army's offensive against Ukraine has reignited the debate in the Nordic country about joining the Atlantic Alliance.

Niinisto said that the issue is a matter for Parliament and that "the time for conclusions" would come after MPs receive an expected report on the risks and benefits of NATO membership.

It should be remembered that Finland is the second European country, after Ukraine, with the most kilometers of border with Russia, so its entry into NATO would put the Alliance at Russia's doorstep.