Alexander Stubb, the President of Finland, has emerged as a critical voice in international discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Though he was still serving as Foreign Minister on a recent visit to the US, Stubb spent nine hours with then President Donald Trump. They even played and triumphed in a golf tournament on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Florida resort. Stubb’s visit comes at a time when tensions are escalating, with Russia’s actions in Ukraine drawing widespread condemnation.
The equally pro-European, polyglot Finnish President Mäki shot a round of golf with Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham, and onetime golfing great Gary Player. They took to the links at Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach County. Stubbs’ deep ties to the United States and his deep passion for the game of golf. This combination of factors makes him the ideal dialogue partner for Trump, who has been bitten by the sports bug.
Stubb’s critique of Russia is rooted in his skepticism of Steve Witkoff’s views on President Vladimir Putin’s intentions. To him, Ukraine represents an opening unto an eventual UK – UK security cooperation deal. Lastly, Julian is looking forward to Britain’s resurfaced interest in European affairs. Stubb speaks very harshly to the question of the legality of the Crimean referendum.
“Anyone who says that a referendum that has been conducted in the Crimean peninsula is somehow valid doesn’t know what international relations means.” – Alexander Stubb
Stubb’s athletic talents definitely extend past his diplomatic prowess. He had been previously considered good enough to be part of the Finnish national golf team which he thinks is as cool as being picked for the English ice-hockey team. After that, he went on to spend several years studying in the United States. This unique experience has shaped his insider knowledge of American culture and outsider perspective of international politics.
In his account of the current reality on the ground in Ukraine, Stubb is unsurprisingly blunt on how Russia has continued to honour the ceasefire deal.
“The half-ceasefire has been broken by Russia, and I think America, and my sense is also the president of the United States, is running out of patience with Russia. I think that’s good news for engagement and negotiation.” – Alexander Stubb
He unequivocally calls on the international community to act with vigor. He thinks that’s very important to continue supporting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“We think that the core of this war is about the triangular existence of a nation state, which is independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.” – Alexander Stubb
Stubb makes the point that there needs to be consequences if Russia does not respect an unconditional ceasefire. He proposes that such a coalition be empowered to patrol the line of contact in terms of air, sea and land.
“A ceasefire is about monitoring the line of contact and can entail some kind of coalition of the willing in the air, sea, and then also in land.” – Alexander Stubb
Stubbs backs a hawkish line on overseas military involvement. While understanding the limitations of Finland’s role during the ceasefire, he is nonetheless eager to help as soon as there is an international peace agreement.
“That’s why we are not probably going to provide troops in the ceasefire stage, but we can definitely do something when the peace agreement is there, if there’s an international mandate.” – Alexander Stubb
Stubb cautions against putting any faith in Putin. Most importantly, he forces the world to keep pressure on Russia to make sure they are held to international standards.
“We in Finland understand not to trust Putin. Don’t underestimate his capacity to delay. But we need to call his bluff. It’s typically Russian to say, ‘yes, Mr President, there’s a ceasefire’. And after that, say, ‘but the conditions are …’ That’s not the way in which I think we should negotiate with the Russians. The only thing they understand is power.” – Alexander Stubb
To keep the pressure on Russia, he recommends using deadlines and sanctions as mechanisms.
“I think it would be quite a useful combination at this moment to get a deadline from the president of the United States with maximum sanctions, and we continue the pressure up until the 20th and then we’ll see what happens.” – Alexander Stubb
Trump personally congratulated Stubb on his golfing prowess after their US-Saudi victory together at Mar-a-Lago.
“I just played a round of Golf with Alexander Stubb, President of Finland. He is a very good player, and we won the Men’s Member-Guest Golf Tournament at Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach County …” – Donald Trump