Donald Trump is the only one who can force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine, Finland's president has told the BBC.
Alexander Stubb also said that Finland would never recognise occupied Crimea as part of Russia, and he emphasized the necessity of ensuring that Ukraine becomes an EU member and hopefully joins NATO once the war concludes.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with Trump at the White House, Stubb stated: I think we can end this war with your help.
Moreover, Trump indicated that Putin has agreed to meet with him face-to-face in Hungary.
The US leader expressed on Friday, I think that President Zelensky wants to get it ended. Now we have to get it done.
Zelensky conveyed his readiness to negotiate peace in any format; however, he noted that Putin must be pressured to conclude the conflict.
Stubb acknowledged that Trump had previously asked him whether he could trust Putin during a game of golf, to which Stubb's answer was a definitive no. He believes that it's essential to apply more pressure rather than offering incentives to bring Russia to the peace table.
Stubb commended Trump’s second term, noting that peace negotiations likely advanced more over the past eight months than in the previous three years. He indicated that Russia's economy is currently suffering and that economic threats should be leveraged to compel Russia to negotiate peace.
He firmly stated that Finland rejects any Russian claims over Crimea or the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, insisting that only Ukrainians have the right to decide on territorial issues. Stubb expressed hope that Ukraine would maintain its independence and territorial integrity, eventually joining both the EU and NATO.
While Trump previously suggested potential land trades in a future peace agreement, he recently stated that Kyiv could reclaim all territories in its original shape. Stubb explained that the lack of Russian advancements might explain Trump's shift in stance, pointing to Ukraine's resilience and unwillingness to surrender.
Stubb is optimistic about future peace talks, hoping for a ceasefire and a phased peace process in the near future, emphasizing the need for pragmatic solutions in foreign policy.
Alexander Stubb also said that Finland would never recognise occupied Crimea as part of Russia, and he emphasized the necessity of ensuring that Ukraine becomes an EU member and hopefully joins NATO once the war concludes.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with Trump at the White House, Stubb stated: I think we can end this war with your help.
Moreover, Trump indicated that Putin has agreed to meet with him face-to-face in Hungary.
The US leader expressed on Friday, I think that President Zelensky wants to get it ended. Now we have to get it done.
Zelensky conveyed his readiness to negotiate peace in any format; however, he noted that Putin must be pressured to conclude the conflict.
Stubb acknowledged that Trump had previously asked him whether he could trust Putin during a game of golf, to which Stubb's answer was a definitive no. He believes that it's essential to apply more pressure rather than offering incentives to bring Russia to the peace table.
Stubb commended Trump’s second term, noting that peace negotiations likely advanced more over the past eight months than in the previous three years. He indicated that Russia's economy is currently suffering and that economic threats should be leveraged to compel Russia to negotiate peace.
He firmly stated that Finland rejects any Russian claims over Crimea or the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, insisting that only Ukrainians have the right to decide on territorial issues. Stubb expressed hope that Ukraine would maintain its independence and territorial integrity, eventually joining both the EU and NATO.
While Trump previously suggested potential land trades in a future peace agreement, he recently stated that Kyiv could reclaim all territories in its original shape. Stubb explained that the lack of Russian advancements might explain Trump's shift in stance, pointing to Ukraine's resilience and unwillingness to surrender.
Stubb is optimistic about future peace talks, hoping for a ceasefire and a phased peace process in the near future, emphasizing the need for pragmatic solutions in foreign policy.
