Key facts
- Finnish PM Petteri Orpo criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on the Ukraine war.
- Orpo stated Trump's actions lack logic and urged him to remember European allies.
- Trump announced a diesel deal with Russia and reportedly limited Ukraine's military aid.
- Orpo believes Trump's actions are driven by domestic U.S. election concerns.
- Finland advocates for using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
- Orpo highlighted the urgency of finalizing the EU's long-term budget.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed strong criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump's recent actions concerning the Ukraine war, stating there is "no logic" to his pro-Russia stance. In an interview with POLITICO, Orpo highlighted Trump's announcement of a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reported restrictions on Ukraine's military intelligence and technology as alarming.
Orpo emphasized that as NATO allies, the U.S. and Europe should be united against Russia, which he identified as the primary threat. He suggested that Trump's decisions might be influenced by domestic political considerations, such as the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Orpo warned that Ukraine is in grave danger and requires continued military support, particularly air defense.
The Finnish prime minister stressed that European leaders must find ways to finance Ukraine's defense independently, even if U.S. support wavers. He advocated for reopening discussions on utilizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, deeming it a better solution than using European taxpayers' money. Orpo also urged the finalization of the EU's long-term budget by year-end, warning that future European elections could complicate negotiations.