Donald Trump is the only one who can force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine, Finland's president has told the BBC.
Alexander Stubb also stated that Finland would never recognize occupied Crimea as part of Russia, and that he aims to ensure Ukraine becomes an EU and hopefully NATO member once the war concludes.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with Trump at the White House, Stubb expressed optimism that peace could be achieved with U.S. assistance.
Stubb pointed to a recent agreement for Putin to meet Trump in Hungary as a positive sign; he elaborated that Trump's approach might need more of a stick rather than a carrot to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
The Finnish president was quoted saying, What we need is not so much the power of the carrot to convince Russia to the negotiating table, it's more of the stick that will bring them. He believes negotiations have made more progress in the past eight months during Trump’s second term than in the prior three years.
Additionally, he highlighted that the economic situation in Russia is deteriorating, urging for strategic sanctions and the use of frozen Russian assets to pressure the country further.
Stubb's comments underline a belief in a necessary change in tactics to ensure peace and sovereignty for Ukraine, reinforcing the idea that the decisions regarding territorial claims should ultimately lie with the Ukrainian people themselves.
Stubb stated, We'll keep on working at it. The key is to engage and try to find solutions and be pragmatic. He remains hopeful for a ceasefire and lasting peace negotiations soon.
