The Briefing
- Stubb says current US foreign policy now contradicts Finnish values.
- Finland will revise its foreign policy doctrine following recent US tensions over Greenland.
- While remaining an ally, Finland admits the US approach to partnership is changing.
In a stark departure from his usual diplomatic tone, President Alexander Stubb has declared that the United States’ foreign policy is now driven by an ideology that “conflicts with our own values.”
Speaking to Parliament on Wednesday, Stubb announced that Finland must update its foreign and security doctrine to survive in a world where its most important ally is rapidly changing.
The announcement comes just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump sparked a diplomatic crisis with European allies over the status of Greenland.
While Stubb did not provide a specific timeline for the new strategy, he was clear that the “ideology” underpinning the current Washington administration, specifically its disregard for international institutions and European interests, requires Finland to rethink its position.
“We must honestly acknowledge that the United States is undergoing change,” Stubb said. “Its approach to its allies, as well as its way of conducting foreign policy, is also changing.”
Until now, Stubb has been known as one of the few European leaders capable of maintaining a constructive relationship with President Trump.
The End of the “Trump Whisperer”?
Until now, Stubb has been known as one of the few European leaders capable of maintaining a constructive relationship with President Trump. Since taking office, the Finnish President has prioritized close personal ties with Washington to ensure continued support for Ukraine and to secure Finland’s eastern border with Russia.
However, Stubb’s speech suggests this pragmatic approach has reached its limit.
He explicitly cited the U.S. “undermining the existing international order” as a key area where values no longer align. While he reaffirmed that the U.S. remains an “important ally,” the tone indicates that Finland can no longer rely on shared ideals to guarantee cooperation.
In April 2023, Finland ended decades of military non-alignment by joining NATO in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That move was based on the assumption of a strong, united Western alliance led by the US.
