Orpo said he had hoped for stronger results from the meeting. Photo: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva
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Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has welcomed the outcome of this week’s meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, stating that it is “good that no decisions were made over Ukraine’s head.”
Speaking to Yle on Saturday, Orpo said he had hoped for stronger results from the meeting but noted that the absence of a ceasefire announcement was disappointing.
“The results fell short of expectations,” Orpo said, referring to the continued lack of progress toward a negotiated end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He highlighted, however, that Ukraine remained directly involved in post-summit discussions, and described that as a positive development.
“The fact that a clear process was created and that things were not agreed over Ukraine’s head is of course positive,” he said.
Orpo noted that Trump held immediate follow-up calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb joined that call, alongside several other European heads of state and government.
European leaders later issued a joint statement praising diplomatic efforts and reiterating support for Ukraine.
“It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force,” the statement read.
The leaders also expressed readiness to host a trilateral summit in Europe to continue diplomatic engagement. They reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing sanctions and economic pressure on Russia until a “just and lasting peace” is reached.
The joint statement was signed by Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Orpo said he had discussed the phone call with Stubb but did not disclose further details. He praised the president’s growing influence in the European response to the war.
“It is an excellent thing for Finland that our president currently has a very strong position among this small group of European leaders,” he said.
Orpo, who succeeded Stubb as leader of the National Coalition Party in 2016, also emphasised the need for continued unity among European countries.
“Unfortunately, Putin’s statements have not changed,” Orpo said.
He added that new sanctions should be considered as part of a wider strategy to maintain pressure on Moscow.
“The coming days will show what the actual outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting is,” Orpo said.
Asked for his reaction to images of Trump and Putin smiling together on the red carpet at Anchorage Airport, Orpo replied, “Maybe it’s better that I don’t comment on that. Someone has to have those discussions. That’s just the way it is.”
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
