So, not surprisingly, Finland and Sweden are applying for NATO membership. They have been provoked by the Ukraine/Russia war. As we might have expected , the Russian response has been negative: cutting off electricity supplies to Finland as a start.

But, in my view, that is precisely the wrong reaction! Russia should be bending over backwards to do more to enhance their relationships with both countries. The time is right to build, not destroy, connections. Russia needs to demonstrate its added value and to recognise that NATO membership is not a threat.