Overview
- Stubb told the Associated Press he is not very optimistic about a ceasefire this year and hopes to get talks moving by March.
- He urged Europe to maintain or increase aid despite a corruption scandal in Kyiv, while saying President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must quickly address kickback and embezzlement allegations.
- The Finnish leader warned that Russia is conducting hybrid operations across Europe, including drones, sabotage, arson, vandalism and propaganda, which blur the line between war and peace.
- He advocated using frozen Russian assets as collateral for Ukraine and increasing military pressure, saying Kyiv needs the capability to hit Russia’s military or defense industry.
- He praised recent U.S. sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, noted Washington denied Ukraine Tomahawk missiles, said talks for more firepower continue, and described the canceled Trump–Putin Budapest meeting as a response to no movement from Moscow.