News in Russian | 40 years of “useless” work

Первые memories of eastern neighbors – absolutely ordinary. Дом в район Кухмо, в комментарии выросла Paula Lekhtomyakiнаходился всёт в шести кілометрах от погранперехода Вартиус.

“Рядом с нашей лыжной провсюду былы знаки: “Стоп! Пограничная зона”, – recalls Lekhtomyaki.

In the 1980s, while Paula was growing up, the city of Kostomukshu and factories were built on the border. Dozens of Finns were involved in the construction. Первый раз Паула побывала в Костомукше в 9 лет:

“That’s the first time I saw the Soviet Union. The border control was a sufficiently exciting and frightening business”.

Кухмо и Костомукша became гедугино-побратимами. Several trips were organized for schoolchildren, in which Paula remembered the hospitality of Soviet families the most:

“Нас всегда угощали кучей сладостей. For schoolchildren and ordinary people, all this became a very positive experience.”

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“I never could have believed that Russia would take this up. It was a complete surprise and, perhaps, that is why it became such a terrible shock.”

In the middle She started studying Russian language at the Lehtomyak school, and in the mid-90s, as a student at the University of Turku School of Economics, she went on exchange to study in Saint Petersburg.

She was genuinely interested in the “inspiring but complicated” Russian language. It was also necessary to study culture and art.

“In those times, Russia seemed exotic. Well, that is, she is nearby, but together with that, this is a very very different country, a different culture… In those years, it looked attractive in many ways.”

Children’s and youth’s interest in the eastern neighbor led to career.

“As always, one thing comes out of another,” explains Lehtomyaki.

Depending on the positions and tasks she was engaged in, her point of view on Russia changed as well.

“How did the current times come – there are no more relationships”.

When On February 24, Russia started a large-scale war, one emotion rolled over another:

“I never could have believed that Russia would take this up. It was a complete surprise and, perhaps, that is why it became such a terrible shock.”

After the first shock, terrible bitterness came. Из-за войн и судеб приходи людей. And along with them came a monstrous disappointment. After about 40 years, Paula Lehtomäki was somehow engaged in the development of relations with the eastern neighbor, for some time she held the position of general secretary of the Council of Ministers of the Northern countries.

“I have built these relationships for decades, believing that they can develop in a positive way. It turns out, it was a useless job”.

After начала войны Запад припринял беспрецедентные шаги по разуру отношения с Россией – и политике, и в економике. Now many critics say that the intentions of Vladimir Putin can be recognized much earlier: after the annexation of Crimea, it is certain.

A lazy person doesn’t want to use a famous proverb about how easy it is to be smart in hindsight. However, she emphasizes that in the world that took shape after February 24, it is easy to make a mistake in evaluating the events of the past:

“Until this spring, cooperation and dialogue were our main and long-term line. Такой же политическая и размещение нашего государство. Let’s keep channels open, discuss and collaborate on practical issues – that’s our message. We always strived to understand – what the other side thinks”.

The conversation becomes increasingly emotional. Paula Lekhtomyaki says she agreed to this interview about her relationship with Russia after long thoughts.

“When you look back, you always have to ask yourself a question: could we have a better idea of ​​what the spirit of these relationships will be like in the long-term perspective?”

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“This war is a terrible disaster for Ukraine. Но и для России, too.”

The events and decisions of the past need to be estimated, but without hanging labels:

“I would very much like to have each of us contribute to the creation of a constructive bilateral dialogue”.

This spring, Lehtomyak had enough time to think about those episodes in which it was possible to act differently. Perhaps, even during the Chechen wars of the late 90s, it was possible to realize that Russia is ready for full-scale military action?

А с другие страны, какие были ALTERNATIVES?

“If even 20 years ago, we understood everything – what conclusions could we make then?” It’s hard to push back from the fact that prospects for dialogue and cooperation are initially doomed to failure. For me, such a approach is also unacceptable.”

В 2000-х годах Paula Lehtomyaki contributed to the development of relations between countries, being the minister of foreign trade and development from 2003 to 2007.

“In these years, the interest in trade with Russia was huge, – recalls the former minister, – it was a very positive time, much was invested in the promotion of exports. I don’t remember that this caused any serious criticism”.

Примерно в то же время Paula Lehtomyak met with by Vladimir Putin. This is normal practice for the minister of Finland. Relations between countries developed both in political and economic planes. About how and when her assessment of Putin changed, Lehtomyak does not spread:

“Except that all this seems simply incomprehensible, I have nothing to say.”

The risks associated with the change in the political course of Russia were discussed mainly in application to concrete practical issues: for example, the construction of gas pipelines in the territory of Europe.

“In the 1990s, there was a widespread idea that increasing mutual dependence in the economic sphere could lead Russia to European thinking and European values.”

Pomimo works in the ministry, in 2000-2003, Paula Lekhtomäki was a member of the board of the society “Finland – Russia”, and in 2014-2015, she was the chairman of this organization. That’s when Russia occupied Krym.

“Мы осудили аннексию. But even then, it seemed important to me to maintain ties on a cultural and civic level. Для того общество и было создрано”.

According to Lekhtomyaki, already then many members of the union felt pressure because they were engaged in razing relations with Russia:

“It was important to show support to them”.

After the seizure of Crimea, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated sharply, and mutual economic sanctions were introduced. Finland became oriented towards self-sufficiency. Reduction of energy dependence on the eastern neighbor became a long-term policy of the country.

Lehtomyak – thanks to her work – had a unique opportunity to follow Russian changes not “from the outside”. And she didn’t experience optimism. Even until the start of the war. Although now prospects are quite dim and dark.

“It is absolutely obvious that in recent years, Russia is not developing at all from the point of view of democratic principles, individual freedoms, and also in relation to cooperation with the West. This war is a terrible disaster for Ukraine. Но и для России, too”, – convinced Lekhtomyaki.

A “brain drain” has been going on in Russia for a long time: the most competent and educated specialists are leaving the country. For example, Paula’s friends from her student group in Petersburg have already left Russia.

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“We have relatives who died in this war. For them, it’s really hard to find any words.”

Нынешним руководителям Финляндии екс-министр fully trusts:

“We cannot change our geographic location. Therefore, the main task has always been to find optimal solutions that best meet the interests of Finland in various situations. The same thing is being done now.”

Several times Paula Lekhtomäki was elected to the parliament. She supports the decision of the current deputies about joining NATO: “I would definitely also have voted for filing the application.” If and when conditions arise for the resumption of good-neighborly relations, such relations may be based only on equality. Neither party should be afraid of the other party”.

Война Pauly Lehtomyaki said it in her everyday life. Russian projects of the Council of Ministers of Northern countries were frozen, offices were closed. Вне работы – такая же situation:

“Я сталаживать контакты с украинцами”. All this turned out to be much closer than I could have ever imagined”.

Paula follows the war and from the mother’s point of view: her oldest son will soon be in the army.

“We have relatives who died in this war. For them, it’s really hard to find any words.”

Осенью Paula Lehtomäki will return to Finland for a permanent job. Она возглавит компанию Metsäteollisuus ry. For now – a traditional summer vacation in the native border district of Kukhmo. Здесь, по еја сорам, на между былых сразение всё еще живёт история Зимней войны.

“For those who grew up in these regions – it’s familiar and not scary. From these places, I took away the idea that with neighbors it is necessary to strive to be friends, not to be enemies. Vražda is the last step.”

The Russian-Ukrainian war is going on much longer than the Soviet-Finnish war. In the air, there is still much uncertainty. At the very least, there seems to be no quick solution to the questions of relations between Finland and Russia.

“I’m morally ready for the fact that I won’t stop when the opportunity arises for constructive cooperation”, – said former minister and chairman of the society “Finland – Russia” Paula Lehtomyak.

Article first published on 10 July 2022.

You can read the article in Finnish from here.