Donald Trump is the only one who can force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine, according to Finland's President Alexander Stubb.
During a BBC interview, Stubb asserted that Finland would never recognize Crimea as part of Russia, and he expressed hopes for Ukraine to join the EU and NATO once hostilities cease.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Stubb made these remarks ahead of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump at the White House. Stubb emphasized, I think we can end this war with your help.
Stubb also remarked that Trump mentioned Putin's willingness to meet with him in Hungary.
In a conversation filled with optimism, Trump reflected on the situation, stating that both Putin and Zelensky desire to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate for peace but stressed the necessity of applying pressure on Putin to facilitate the discussions.
In the past, Trump and Putin convened in Alaska, a summit marked by a lack of decisive outcomes. Stubb explained that economic and strategic pressures could effectively compel Russia to engage in negotiations.
What we need is not so much the power of the carrot; it’s more of the stick that will bring them to the table, Stubb stated. He observed that while Trump has positioned himself as a negotiator, he has leaned more towards coercive measures recently.
Stubb expressed renewed hope in Trump’s diplomatic influence, claiming that recent months have seen greater progress in discussions than in previous years.
He emphasized that Russia's weakened economy, exacerbated by sanctions and failed military strategies, supports the notion that strong economic measures should guide future peace negotiations, including reallocating frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
With the specter of ongoing violence, Stubb called for unity among European nations to ensure security for Ukraine. He remained optimistic about witnessing tangible outcomes from a future peace process aimed at achieving a ceasefire.
The culmination of these discussions sets a challenging yet pivotal stage as global leaders navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict and its implications for peace in Europe.
