President of the Republic Alexander Stubb delivers the closing remarks of the Kultaranta Talks in Naantali. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
- Previous Article Finnair cancels 128 flights as labour dispute grounds operations
- Next Article Wolt couriers face deportation risk after court ruling
President Alexander Stubb said Finland and the United States no longer share the same operational approach to promoting their values on the global stage. Speaking at the close of the Kultaranta Talks in Naantali, he pointed to differences in attitudes toward multilateral institutions.
“Our values are still the same, but the instruments we use to advance them are not,” Stubb said, citing the United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization and International Criminal Court as examples of where views now diverge.
He noted that Finland, as a small country, seeks to influence the United States when and where possible, while maintaining its commitment to human rights, liberal democracy and the rule of law.
“Value-based realism is our tool in foreign and security policy,” he said. “We defend our values through international institutions, rules and norms, but we also acknowledge that global challenges cannot only be addressed with those who share our views.”
Stubb said he had exchanged brief text messages with President Donald Trump earlier in the day regarding the Middle East crisis. Trump did not disclose his plans, and it remains unclear how the US will act. Stubb predicted American support for Israel in some form but declined to speculate further.
He also confirmed contact with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and a separate discussion with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who had spoken with Trump.
In response to questions on Palestine, Stubb reaffirmed Finland’s support for a two-state solution. He stated that recognising Palestine was a question of timing, not principle, and said he had conveyed this view in talks with Herzog.
“We are engaged in normal shuttle diplomacy,” Stubb said.
HT
- Previous Article Finnair cancels 128 flights as labour dispute grounds operations
- Next Article Wolt couriers face deportation risk after court ruling
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
