Finnish President Alexander Stubb congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory. Meanwhile former president Sauli Niinistö urged a focus on Trump's actions rather than his words.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has congratulated his future US counterpart Donald Trump on his re-election.

[…]

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) commented on the election [in a press conference …] “I have been saying for a long time that Europe must take a bigger role. We cannot count so much on US support. Of course, the United States has other interests,” the PM said.

[…]

In Orpo’s view, peace must be achieved in Ukraine, but not under any conditions.

“Peace must be attained on Ukraine’s terms,” he said. “We have our own experience from history that if the big ones agree over [others’] heads, it is not in the interest of a small or independent nation, and hopefully this will be kept clearly in mind when a peace agreement is possibly made.”

[…]

Former president Sauli Niinistö, who met with Trump multiple times, struck a cautious note in regard to the possible ramifications for Nato and Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Niinistö commented to Yle about Trump’s assertion that he will end the war in Ukraine quickly.

“I haven’t seen a detailed plan on the matter, if there is one. Rather, that will have to be considered after we see what he is really going to do,” Niinistö said.

[…]

    • varyingExpertiseEnglish
      151·
      15 days ago

      According to russian foreign policy, Finland should be absorbed into Russia when any opportunity presents itself.

      Finland should be absorbed into Russia. Southern Finland will be combined with the Republic of Karelia and northern Finland will be “donated to Murmansk Oblast”.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundations_of_Geopolitics#Content

      I guess even the right-wingers there aren’t keen on learning a new alphabet.

      • boredtortoise@lemm.eeEnglish
        3·
        15 days ago

        Even Halla-aho had a change of heart in talk after Russia invaded dear-to-him Ukraine. But still following the Putin playbook and praising Trump hasn’t changed.

        It’s just not a good move for populism to openly support Russian ideology in Finland. But if a Donetsk/Luhansk style separatist group is planted, those guys are the first to invite daddy Putin over.

  • 14th_cylon@lemm.eeEnglish
    7·
    15 days ago

    “I have been saying for a long time that Europe must take a bigger role. We cannot count so much on US support.

    yeah, we need to take more active role, or we are finished…