President Alexander Stubb as a guest on Yle’s Ykkösaamu at his summer residence, Kultaranta, in Naantali on 23 August 2025. Photo: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva
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Finnish President Alexander Stubb says Russia has no intention of entering peace talks with Ukraine and that only U.S. President Donald Trump holds the leverage to pressure Moscow.
Speaking to Helsingin Sanomat after returning from meetings in Washington, Stubb said Russia is intent on continuing the war into the autumn to maximise territorial gains. “They want to continue the war at least into autumn to maximise their own territorial conquests,” he said.
Stubb dismissed the likelihood of a bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in the coming weeks. “If the goal was a bilateral meeting two weeks from Washington, I find it highly unlikely. Russian delaying tactics continue,” he told the paper.
The Finnish president has been in direct and frequent contact with Trump and Zelenskyi, positioning Finland at the centre of ongoing discussions on Europe’s security. He said diplomacy is moving toward a ceasefire, but that “the only person who can force Putin into this is Trump”.
Stubb noted that Trump has not yet applied strong measures such as wider sanctions against Moscow but added that past examples show their effectiveness. He recalled that after Washington imposed secondary sanctions on India, Putin immediately sought direct talks with Trump.
The president described Finland’s role as one of influence rather than hard power. “Finland is a small country, so hard power is limited. But influence can be significant,” he said. He portrayed his function as a mediator among European leaders and Trump, with Finland stepping in when larger powers reach an impasse.
Stubb also addressed discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine. He said these would only take effect once a ceasefire or peace agreement is achieved. “Primary responsibility for Ukraine’s security lies with Ukraine itself. Europe will support in one way or another, coordinated or backed by the United States,” he said. He pointed to U.S. capabilities in air defence and intelligence as examples of possible support.
On territorial integrity, Stubb stated the goal is to ensure Ukraine does not lose land. He compared the situation to Finland’s experience during the Winter and Continuation Wars, when Finland retained independence but lost sovereignty and territory under Soviet pressure. “It is important Ukraine preserves independence, sovereignty, the right to join NATO or the EU, the right to maintain strong armed forces, and of course we aim for no territorial losses,” he said.
In a separate Yle interview, Stubb said Putin had made “the greatest geopolitical mistake of recent history” in invading Ukraine. He argued that Putin has failed on all strategic objectives, instead uniting Europe, driving Finland and Sweden into NATO, and increasing NATO defence spending. “Putin has tried to conquer Donetsk for 12 years and advanced only about 25 percent,” he said.
Stubb also speculated on a possible route to peace, saying one scenario could involve an initial Putin-Zelenskyi meeting followed by trilateral talks with Trump, who could then set a time frame for negotiations.
On the Middle East, Stubb reiterated his readiness to recognise Palestine if Finland’s government submits the proposal. “I have never been pro-Israel or pro-Palestine, I am pro-peace,” he said, noting Israel’s violations of international law and the condemnation of Hamas by Arab states. He added that Finland’s longstanding position supports a two-state solution.
Stubb said the decision ultimately requires a proposal from the government and must follow constitutional procedure. He believes Finland will eventually recognise Palestine, depending on when European peers take similar steps.
“Hopefully the government will reach a consensus, and the constitution will be followed,” he said.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
