Stubb’s trip intervenes as the Trump administration is trying to negotiate a cease-fire in Ukraine. Finland – a new NATO member and one of kyiv’s most faithful allies – shares a 1340 -kilometer border with Russia.
The Finnish president, who met the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month, arises to become a European envoy for Ukraine who would obtain a seat at the negotiation table. Stubb expressed skepticism about the intention of Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree and respect a cease-fire.
Trump and Stubb are both looking forward to “strengthening the partnership” between their two countries, the American president has published on Truth Social.
“And that includes the purchase and development of a large number of ice breists that the United States needs, offering international peace and security for our countries, and the world,” said Trump.
In November of last year, under the Biden administration, the United States, Canada and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding to build arctic and polar galaes.
Ice breakers are essential to navigate the Arctic region, which is more and more strategic for the United States, Russia and China. Moscow is currently operating the largest fleet icebreaker in the world, but Finland is a leader in design and construction.
