The war in Ukraine is just over one year old. There is widespread talk of a major spring offensive from both sides. War in Europe, once unthinkable, is now the new normal. But for one nation on Russia’s northern border, this feels like deja vu.
Like Ukraine, Finland knows what it’s like to share a long border with Russia. The Finns have had Vladimir Putin as a neighbor, and they’ve been performing the same delicate dance of decoupling under his very watchful eye.
Before his posting to Washington, Mikko Hautala was Finland’s ambassador to Russia, where he met Vladimir Putin more times than he can count. Hautala occupied his post in Moscow during the critical years following Putin’s first invasion of Ukraine.
Since the war began, he’s become well known as the person to talk to to understand Putin, Russia and the conflict in Ukraine.
On this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, host Ryan Lizza talks with Hautala about what Americans don’t understand about the Russian leader, the implications of the growing alliance between China and Russia, Finland’s accession to NATO, and why he believes the West needs to massively ramp up its industrial capability if it wants Ukraine to survive.
Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.
Mikko Hautala is Finland's ambassador to the U.S.
Afra Abdullah is an associate producer for POLITICO audio.
Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Alex Keeney is a senior producer for POLITICO audio.
Brook Hayes is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the executive producer for POLITICO audio.
Democrats' 'optimistic apostle' offers hope for the midterms
The quarter-billion dollar PAC driving a red wave
Weaponized (un)truths: Has the GOP ‘lost its mind’?
How we predict elections
Dream job disappointment: Testifying against Trump
Giorgia Meloni's Hard Right Playbook
The untold story of Trump's botched impeachments
The Bitter End to democracy? Hindsight is 20/20.
Kara Swisher knows when to fold ‘em
When Senator Leahy laughed with Raul Castro
Ron Klain says ‘season of substance’ could save Dems
Byrd nerds: Why the byzantine process of budget reconciliation exists and how it actually works
Biden’s big bill: Two GOP strategists on how to kill it
Legalizing the trip: One ‘shroom advocate’s playbook
He was right about inflation. Biden wasn’t. Larry Summers on what’s coming next
LA wants to recall its most progressive prosecutor. Inside the DA’s hostile office
Why haven’t there been more Cassidy Hutchinsons?
New Jan. 6 witness: Trump had mystery call with Putin
Director’s cut: What else did Judge Luttig have to say about Jan. 6 in his interview
He defied Trump and still survived a GOP primary
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Tiny Desk Concerts - Video
The Axe Files with David Axelrod
Left, Right & Center
The Jason Stapleton Program
Podcast for America