The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, recently shared insights about Donald Trump’s changing attitude towards Vladimir Putin during a day spent golfing with the former U.S. president. Stubb revealed that Trump is becoming increasingly frustrated and impatient with Putin’s refusal to commit to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Speaking to Sky News, Stubb emphasized that Trump is the only leader whom Putin seems to fear, which gives him a unique position to potentially broker peace. However, Stubb noted that Trump’s patience is wearing thin due to Russia’s ongoing tactics.
During their golf match in Florida, Stubb observed a mix of frustration and impatience in Trump, specifically regarding Russia’s lack of commitment to a ceasefire. This marks a notable shift in Trump’s previously more lenient stance towards Putin, as he has recently applied more pressure on the Russian leader.
Stubb pointed out that Putin’s refusal to agree to a 30-day ceasefire has contributed to this change in Trump’s attitude. He stated, "If there was a pendulum of trust and distrust, certainly Russian activity in the past few weeks has proven that we’re moving more towards the distrust side of things."
The Finnish president is advocating for significant sanctions against Russia if it does not agree to a ceasefire by a set deadline, which he suggested should be around Easter. He mentioned that the U.S. is considering sanctions on Russian oil, indicating a serious approach to applying economic pressure on Russia.
Stubb’s comments reflect a growing consensus among Western leaders that Russia’s actions are pushing the limits of international tolerance. He believes that the economic pain from sanctions could reach a critical point for Russia, making it imperative for the West to act decisively.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who also joined Stubb for golf, echoed this sentiment, proposing what he called "bone-breaking sanctions" if Russia fails to comply with ceasefire demands.
As tensions continue, the question remains whether Trump’s newfound impatience will translate into concrete action against Russia. Stubb expressed a cautious optimism, stating he is "fairly confident" that Trump will apply pressure, but he acknowledged that it may take more than just words to persuade Putin to change course.