‘No logic’: Finland slams Trump for siding with Putin against Ukraine
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo tells POLITICO the U.S. is going against its allies and warns Europe must find a way to keep Ukraine in the fight, even if it means reopening the debate over raiding Russian assets.
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for siding with Russia against Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. In an interview with POLITICO, Orpo stated that there is "no logic" to Trump's recent actions, including a diesel deal with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and reportedly limiting Ukraine's access to military intelligence and technology.
Orpo emphasized that Finland and other NATO allies, including the U.S., must stand united against Russia's threat to their security. Trump's decision to release Russian diesel onto the market raised concerns among European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who fears the move will benefit Russia's war efforts. Orpo expressed his disagreement with Trump's proposal for Ukraine to cease targeting Russian energy infrastructure and replace Zelenskyy.
The European Union must step in to support Ukraine with weapons and financial aid, regardless of U.S. cooperation. Orpo highlighted the importance of finding a solution for utilizing frozen Russian financial assets currently held in European banks, which could alleviate the financial burden on the EU. European leaders are currently debating their long-term budget, with many expecting a deal by the year's end.
Orpo stressed the urgency of finalizing the budget, as any delay could negatively impact negotiations and potentially harm the European elections.
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