Sanna Marin for "Wprost": I do not believe in a romantic vision of peace
Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland, expresses her skepticism about the idealistic notion of peace, emphasizing that negotiations often require the acknowledgment of unpleasant alternatives.
Sanna Marin, the former Prime Minister of Finland, shared her perspectives on peace during a recent interview with Wprost. Marin identifies as a pacifist but emphasizes a realistic approach, stating that she does not believe in the romanticized notion of peace arising solely from a collective desire for it. Instead, she asserts that engaging in discussions with adversaries is necessary, which often requires them to perceive the alternatives as more detrimental than the cost of conflict, indicating a strategic view of conflict resolution.
Reflecting on the past, Marin explains that her generation held an assumption that war was a thing of the past in Europe. The prevailing belief was that economic integration and mutual dependencies would render conflicts irrational and too costly to pursue. However, she acknowledges this perspective as a flawed assumption, admitting the naivety of believing that all parties would calculate their interests in the same way her generation did. This acknowledgment highlights the evolving nature of international relations and the complexities involved in contemporary peace negotiations.
Marin's remarks were made during an event at the Finnish Embassy in Warsaw, where she was promoting her new book, "Hope." Her thoughts resonate with the current geopolitical climate, especially regarding the ongoing conflicts and the need for realistic diplomatic strategies, framing peace as a complex interplay of interests rather than a straightforward desire amongst nations.