Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrives at the plenary session of Parliament in Helsinki on 7 October 2025. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and President Stubb will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House the day after tomorrow. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
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Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will travel to Washington this week for a working visit with US President Donald Trump.
The visit will take place from Thursday to Friday and includes a White House meeting scheduled for 9 October. According to official statements from both Helsinki and Washington, the agenda includes Finnish–US bilateral relations, defence and economic cooperation, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The visit marks the first time both Finnish heads of government have jointly attended a bilateral meeting with Trump.
According to Stubb, he proposed Orpo’s participation due to the presence of industrial and economic matters on the agenda. Orpo confirmed that trade and industry issues were under government preparation and warranted his attendance.
The meeting is expected to include discussion of a potential agreement under which the United States Coast Guard would order new icebreakers from Finnish shipyards. Though neither Stubb nor Orpo has confirmed the inclusion of this item in the talks, Finnish officials have acknowledged that preparations related to the matter are underway.
Two that icebreaker procurement is on the agenda. Discussions aim to reach an understanding that would allow the United States to commission vessels from Finnish shipbuilders. Icebreakers can be produced at yards in Helsinki and Rauma.
Orpo said he and Stubb are prepared to discuss the topic if it arises.
“We have the capability to build icebreakers. We have the expertise. We are ready to talk about these things,” Orpo said during a session in the Finnish Parliament.
The United States has previously expressed interest in acquiring up to 40 icebreakers. Trump has referred to the importance of icebreaking capabilities and spoken positively about Finland’s know-how in the field.
Estimates of the value of potential deals vary depending on vessel type. A large arctic-class icebreaker could cost between €600 million and €800 million. A medium-sized vessel could be worth €400 million to €500 million.
President Stubb declined to confirm details related to any such agreement. “Good try,” he said in response to a question from a reporter, adding that more information could follow on Thursday.
Stubb noted that discussions with Trump would also focus on the war in Ukraine. He plans to deliver a message that Ukraine’s position has strengthened since last year, citing battlefield reports and economic data.
According to Stubb, Russian progress has slowed. He also pointed to Ukrainian advances in the Sumy region and said Russia’s economy is under increasing strain. He attributed this to declining growth and rising taxation, including a need to raise VAT.
Speaking to journalists, Stubb described Trump’s position on the war as evolving. He said the US president had initially tried to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin with conciliatory language but now appeared more critical.
“Trump is now showing more signs of taking a tougher approach. How far that goes is up to him,” Stubb said.
Orpo echoed this position, stating that Finland’s message would be firm. He said a stronger commitment to Ukraine and tougher sanctions on Russia were necessary to end the war.
“If Trump is clear on one thing, it’s that he wants to stop the killing in Ukraine. That means we must be firm now,” Orpo said.
The planned working visit follows a recent interview in which Stubb indicated he would meet Trump soon. Since taking office, Stubb has prioritised closer ties with the United States, particularly in defence and Arctic affairs.
Trump is also expected to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the same week.
Finnish and Icelandic officials signed a bilateral defence agreement in Helsinki on Tuesday ahead of the US trip. During a joint press conference with Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir, Stubb emphasised the growing importance of Nordic defence cooperation and confirmed that industrial and economic matters would be part of his US meetings.
Stubb also said that Trump was “curious” to receive updated information on Ukraine. He plans to share intelligence gathered from a recent visit to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in mid-September.
During that visit, Stubb was briefed on military operations and battlefield conditions.
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
