In an interview with The Economist, Finnish President Alexander Stubb discusses his interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Trump's actions involve both intuition and strategic planning. Stubb, who played golf with Trump in Florida last spring, has been advocating for open discussions regarding Russia's reliability. He notes that talks concerning peace in Ukraine have progressed, as representatives from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are currently meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

Stubb points out that the transatlantic partnership is currently not at its strongest due to the current U.S. administration's focus on economic interests and national security. He highlights the challenges this poses for international relations, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions involving Russia and Ukraine. The lack of a strong partnership between the U.S. and European nations could hinder collaborative efforts in addressing these issues.

Additionally, Stubb's insights into Trump's mindset suggest a level of influence that he may hold over the U.S. President, which seems unusual given Trump's previous tendency to only listen to leaders of larger European countries. This dynamic raises questions about the potential for smaller nations like Finland to play a role in larger geopolitical discussions and the impact this might have on international diplomacy moving forward.