Finland's President Alexander Stubb has stated that Donald Trump is the only one who can force Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine. This assertion was made by Stubb during a recent conversation with the BBC, ahead of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump at the White House.
Stubb emphasized the need for a "stick" approach to bring Russia to the negotiating table, rather than relying solely on carrots. He noted that Finland would never recognize Crimea as part of Russia, or the regions of Donetsk or Luhansk, which are currently under control of Russian-backed separatists.
The Finnish president also expressed his desire for Ukraine to become an EU and NATO member once the war is over, ensuring its independence and territorial integrity. Stubb's comments come after Trump announced that he had agreed to meet with Putin in Hungary, where they will discuss a potential peace deal.
Trump has stated that Putin "wants to get it ended" and that President Zelensky also wants to end the war. However, Zelensky has emphasized the need for pressure on Russia to be applied through various means, including economic sanctions and military support from the West.
Stubb believes that a two-phase peace process is necessary, with an initial ceasefire followed by an extended peace process. He hopes that this process will yield results in the coming days and weeks.
In addition to pushing for peace negotiations, Stubb has also emphasized the need for economic pressure on Russia to be applied. This could include giving €200 billion worth of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine as a loan, which would stay there if Russia did not pay compensation after peace negotiations are reached. Sanctions could also be imposed on countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
Overall, Stubb's comments highlight the complexities of negotiating with Russia and the need for a comprehensive approach that combines economic pressure, military support, and diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Stubb emphasized the need for a "stick" approach to bring Russia to the negotiating table, rather than relying solely on carrots. He noted that Finland would never recognize Crimea as part of Russia, or the regions of Donetsk or Luhansk, which are currently under control of Russian-backed separatists.
The Finnish president also expressed his desire for Ukraine to become an EU and NATO member once the war is over, ensuring its independence and territorial integrity. Stubb's comments come after Trump announced that he had agreed to meet with Putin in Hungary, where they will discuss a potential peace deal.
Trump has stated that Putin "wants to get it ended" and that President Zelensky also wants to end the war. However, Zelensky has emphasized the need for pressure on Russia to be applied through various means, including economic sanctions and military support from the West.
Stubb believes that a two-phase peace process is necessary, with an initial ceasefire followed by an extended peace process. He hopes that this process will yield results in the coming days and weeks.
In addition to pushing for peace negotiations, Stubb has also emphasized the need for economic pressure on Russia to be applied. This could include giving €200 billion worth of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine as a loan, which would stay there if Russia did not pay compensation after peace negotiations are reached. Sanctions could also be imposed on countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
Overall, Stubb's comments highlight the complexities of negotiating with Russia and the need for a comprehensive approach that combines economic pressure, military support, and diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine.
I remember when Trump was president, people thought he'd be crazy enough to do something wild... boy was that ever true! 
Anyway, Finland's prez Stubb seems like a smart guy, wants to make sure Russia doesn't get away with what they've done in Ukraine. Giving €200 billion to Ukraine as a loan? That's some serious pressure! 
I'm all for economic sanctions on countries buying Russian oil and gas, that'll hurt Putin's wallet 
. Stubb's two-phase plan seems like a good idea too, first ceasefire, then extended peace process... fingers crossed it works out 
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. Think Stubb's got a point about needing a strong "stick" approach, but also doesn't want to be seen as too aggressive or it'll just push Russia further away 
. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Ukraine becoming an EU and NATO member ASAP - that'd give 'em the stability they need 
. Problem is, we can't just let Putin take over Crimea like he wants... there's gotta be a way to address the Ukrainian people's concerns too 
. Maybe Trump's meeting with Putin in Hungary will actually lead somewhere? 
What does he know? Finland's got it right, gotta put some sticks in the ground. EU membership for Ukraine? It makes sense, they can't keep getting bullied like this. Sanctions are a good start, but we need to be tough, you feel? €200 billion is a nice chunk of change, maybe that'll get Putin's attention 
. And whats with this idea that Stubb thinks Finland will never recognize Crimea as part of Russia? I mean, thats kinda rich coming from a country that was occupied by Russia like 10 yrs ago 
. Anyways, its clear that the West needs to come together and support Ukraine more than just Trump's ego trip 
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. I'd rather see some real teeth in the sanctions, like targeting their energy exports or something. That's what'll really hurt Russia 
. I'm all for Finland wanting to see Ukraine join the EU and NATO, but we need to make sure our own backs are covered too 
. It's just too complicated for one person (or even two) to fix 
. What if Finland's got a secret deal with Russia behind the scenes? 
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. I mean, who knew Finland was so invested in Ukraine? 
But seriously, I think it's kinda genius 
. A two-phase peace process could be the key 
. First, get a ceasefire and then work on a long-term solution. Easy peasy, right? 
Bring it on! 
. We need to get Russia back to the negotiating table and make them see that peace is better than war 
. Fingers crossed for Ukraine and Finland 
anywayz, i think its wierd dat trump thinks he can just force putin 2 negotiate 
and ukraine needs 2 become eu & nato member ASAP 
so they can be safe nd secure 
. Like, people are saying he's crazy for even agreeing to meet with Putin, but Stubb thinks it could be the key to ending the war in Ukraine 
. Stubb's idea of a two-phase peace process is pretty smart too 
. I'm not saying it'll be easy or anything, but I think Stubb's got a point 
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. We need concrete steps being taken now, not just vague assurances from world leaders