With his handlebar moustache and sharply tailored suit, Peter Ericson doesn’t look like your typical ambassador. But the man who became Swedish ambassador to Finland in May 2024 is one of his country’s top diplomats. We meet him in Helsinki to discuss his role and countering Russian aggression in the region.

Is your post more important now that Finland and Sweden have joined Nato?
Helsinki has always been an important ambassadorial post for Sweden. But the global security landscape has made co-operation more critical. The reason the Swedish foreign ministry wanted me in Helsinki was for my experience regarding Russia.

What is the future of the relationship between Nordic nations and Russia?
Engaging with Russia like we did in the 1990s is no longer possible. We need to constrain its ability to harm us. Even with Putin gone, Russia will be adamant about confronting the West.

Does Nato need a larger presence along the Russian border?
Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly in places such as Bucha and Irpin, has shown us that we cannot cede territory in the hope of later taking it back with reinforcements. We need to defend every inch of Nato territory – and Sweden has a major role to play in this.