Kremlin slams Finnish president for endorsing Ukraine's long-range strikes

The Kremlin issued a sharp rebuke on Tuesday after Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed support for Ukraine's long-range missile strikes inside Russia, calling the stance evidence that he and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham belong to a "party of war." Stubb contended that such attacks, including those on civilian logistics centres, increase the burden on Moscow and might encourage Russia to negotiate. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Stubb's comments as surprising and suggested they reveal an intention to prolong the war.

He further accused Stubb and other Western leaders of deceiving their voters by claiming Russia could be strategically defeated. The exchange underscores heightened tensions between Russia and Western officials over the conduct of the Ukraine conflict.