Finnish President Alexander Stubb played golf with US President Donald Trump yesterday during a surprise, unofficial trip to Florida that included discussions about Ukraine and icebreaker ships.
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Perhaps Finland should install a ‘kill switch’ on those icebreakers in case they are used to invade Greenland or other European countries and allies. #eu #finland
I have never heard of icebreaker invasions. I don't know what people are thinking. The ice is disappearing more and more anyways. If Trump wants to fight Russia in the north pole or something, well then maybe, but come on.. invade with ice breakers?
Also. I am Norwegian, the Finns are our neighbours and friends. The danes, swedes, icelanders too. The Nordics do not do anything that hurts the others. We are very close and trust each other.
Not to invade Greenland. Look, the US is the worlds most powerful military. By far. If they want to take a country, they can. By air, sea or land, it doesn't matter. Icebreakers will not change that. They can police the arctic more and the waters around Greenland more. But not needed for an invasion
USA has 2 very old ice-breakers.
Alaska is part of USA
The ice is partially melting, but only is summer & not everywhere
Besides, telling the Danes that they are doing too little in "the" arctic, while USA struggles to break enough ice for a Bourbon on the Rocks, is a bit embarrassing ;-)
Stubb is the President of Finland, not the prime minister.
As a small country next to Russia Finnish leaders have for decades emphasized strong diplomatic and economic ties with the USA, Europe and other countries. Also, our economy is struggling so we need large export deals like this.
You are writing this on an american Social Media app. Don't you buy ANYTHING made in the US? At least Stubbs helps Ukraine with his sales. I trust Finland. Would be stupid not too, they know very well the threat of Russia. Some Icebreakers is not something that will change things at all. Think.
Stubb said nothing about icebreakers. He spoke about Ukraine. He read it from Trump's social media post that they allegedly spoke about icebreakers too.
Business has always been part of things. In fact, Europe understood after WW2 that the best way to maintain peace is through strong economic ties between nations. It has worked great with democratic nations, but with dictators like Putin and Trump it's more about their ego than mutual win-win deals.
I was scrolling through the news my browser compiles yesterday and all I saw was a general news atmosphere that seems to enjoy treating a great many authoritarian things happening like a shoulder shrug, IF that. Corp news media has been complicit every step of the way with their nonchalant outlooks.
Worrying about icebreakers being used against Greenland is laughable when the US already owns a major deepsea base there from where they could easily take control of the island.
More appeasement of Trump from the perennially naive snd narcissistic Alexander Stubb. Playing golf with Trump yesterday while Trump plays the EU. How stupid can you get? Trump is only interested in himself. Trump will play this game with Europe for the next four years.
Trump's advisors *may* have clues about how things are in Ruzzia.
But better to listen to a real master and Stubb obviosly took an opportunity to talk some sense.
As a leader of the,since long, free country with looong Russian border I could think of no one better suited.
I get what Stubb is doing, a bit of flattery goes a long way with Trump but Donald likes bilateral talks so he can divide Europe. There’s a risk to Stubb’s strategy.
Stubb had a scholarship to attend university in the US.
Politico:
In November last year, under the Biden administration, the U.S., Canada and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding to build Arctic and polar icebreakers.
Working on Trump may not be the worst idea. I hope he can correct some of Trump's views of the Russian aggression. And if not, he hopefully enjoyed beating Trump on the golf course. 😜
They are being pragmatic to help save Ukraine and avoid a larger war in Europe if possible. They are not in position to just say "feck off" yet, due to being dependent on US tech. If Europe was independent in all ways now, and was United States of Europe, things would be different.
So Finnish leadership is on board with fascism. I feel for Finland. And if America is any example, ppl will blame the citizens of Finland for the actions of their privileged & corrupt leaders.
The Fins strike me as pragmatic. Not sure this is the time to be pragmatic though. Deal making without values is what got us into this mess.
I would not sell the US anything, eggs or icebreakers, unless they support Ukraine unconditionally and acknowledge Greenland's and Canada's sovereignty.
Stubb has publicly said he didn't mention anything about icebreakers. Trump just dropped them out of the blue and claimed they have spoken about icebreakers (too).
Finland applied to join NATO shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, and 184 out of 200 members of the Finnish Parliament voted to approve the NATO treaties. What does that tell you?
I hope Finland gets something out of this, but Trump is a lifelong crook. Cannot be trusted.
BTW, USA taxpayers have spent $26 million on the orange manbaby’s golf trips this year.
🤬
USA might order some icebreaker ships from Finland. The main thing, though, is that Trump needs to hear some voices of reason in his ear to balance all the pro-Russia and anti-Western alliance nonsense he usually spoon fed with. Stubb seems to be good in this kind of influencing.
A long standing tradition, that one.
The president of Finlandia has long been known to be able to "talk to the orcs in the east". Out of necessity if nothing else.
Wish Stupp had wirn his MUGA-cap though. He must have one?!?!
Oh President Stubb. What an unfortunate day you've had. A couple of questions...Did Trump know how to use Cutlery and did you need Crayons to communicate with the Deranged Toddler?
Comments
Alaska is part of USA
The ice is partially melting, but only is summer & not everywhere
Besides, telling the Danes that they are doing too little in "the" arctic, while USA struggles to break enough ice for a Bourbon on the Rocks, is a bit embarrassing ;-)
"...one of the most professional...".
Rest assured, Finland stands strong with Ukraine, EU and NATO. We know Russian bullshittery only too well.
Seems very friendly with the fascist oligarch regimes to me.
As a small country next to Russia Finnish leaders have for decades emphasized strong diplomatic and economic ties with the USA, Europe and other countries. Also, our economy is struggling so we need large export deals like this.
And like I said, I get it, everything is about money these days.
Sadly, to me, it looks horrible and like Finland just kissed the ring.
It's business: somebody is going to build those icebreakers, so I prefer it to be Finland.
But better to listen to a real master and Stubb obviosly took an opportunity to talk some sense.
As a leader of the,since long, free country with looong Russian border I could think of no one better suited.
Politico:
In November last year, under the Biden administration, the U.S., Canada and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding to build Arctic and polar icebreakers.
We're all looking for a cure to this cancer.
He's a PhD that competes in Iron Man triathlons, speaks 5+ languages, and could have been a pro golfer. The contrast vs tRump is incredible.
He won't change
I would not sell the US anything, eggs or icebreakers, unless they support Ukraine unconditionally and acknowledge Greenland's and Canada's sovereignty.
"Dream in a pragmatic way."
- Aldous Huxley
Personally, I think golfing with MAGA is crossing the line, but I appreciate that it's easy for me to say.
BTW, USA taxpayers have spent $26 million on the orange manbaby’s golf trips this year.
🤬
The president of Finlandia has long been known to be able to "talk to the orcs in the east". Out of necessity if nothing else.
Wish Stupp had wirn his MUGA-cap though. He must have one?!?!
It's good that he has Trump's ear, that is if Trump wants to listen.
Icebreakers in Florida???
Mostly fentanyl addicted MAGA pensioneers though. So just another bad deal.