Russia and Ukraine: the view from Helsinki

The crisis in Ukraine, Russia's annexation of Crimea and violation of the international law and justice have changed both the geopolitical landscape in Europe's Eastern neighbourhood and undermined the rules-based international system. What should be the next steps for Ukraine, Russia and international actors to take to find a political settlement for the conflict? What long-term implications does the conflict have for the international system as a whole?

Erkki Tuomioja has been the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland since June 2011. Previously, he served as Minister for Foreign Affairs (2000-2007) and Minister of Trade and Industry (1999-2000). He was a Member of Parliament from 1970 to 1979 and was re-elected in 1991 (Social Democratic Party). He chaired the Grand Committee (EU Affairs) of Parliament from 2007 to 2011. Minister Tuomioja is a Member of the ECFR Council.

Mark Leonard is the Director of ECFR.  He writes a column on European and global issues for Reuters.com. Previously he worked as director of foreign policy at the Centre for European Reform and as director of the Foreign Policy Centre.