Trump’s speeches prompted Stubb to respond – a blunt assessment from the Czech president

President of the Republic by Alexander Stubb according to which the United States is not withdrawing militarily from Europe. Visiting the Czech Republic on Monday and Tuesday, Stubb also estimates that NATO has not weakened, but that the alliance is stronger than ever since the Cold War.

Stubb answered the reporters’ questions the president Petr Pavelin at a press conference held with

According to Stubb, there is a change in burden shifting in NATO, which means that Europe is taking more responsibility for its defense from the United States. According to him, Europe needs to agree on how the increased obligation is divided between the countries.

“It shouldn’t just be the job of the eastern site,” Stubb emphasized.

According to Stubb, strengthening European defense is also a good justification for why Ukraine should be included in NATO and the EU with a modern army of 800,000 soldiers.

Kauppalehti asked the presidents for their views on NATO’s ability to operate, as well as public speculation about Russia’s possible attack on the Baltic countries, so that Russia could use it to break the EU’s Ukraine front.

Stubb responded by saying that it would be very disadvantageous for Russia.

“In my opinion, the bar for that is simply too high – not only for Finland, but for the entire federation in general,” said Stubb.

Trump’s threats

Helsingin Sanomat asked the presidents the president of the United States Donald Trump’s from undermining NATO deterrence.

In April, Czech President Pavel stated that Trump has done more to undermine NATO’s credibility than Vladimir Putin has managed to do over the years. Among other things, Trump has threatened to withdraw from NATO, conditioned NATO’s collective defense and called the alliance a paper tiger.

Pavel stated on Monday that if the strongest member of the alliance says that NATO is a paper tiger, then “it really has not contributed to increasing credibility”.

According to Pavel, President Putin can only be happy with such a statement.

“President Putin can only be satisfied with such statements, because he has been telling the Russian public for a long time that the European NATO countries are not a real opponent, and that the only real opponent is the United States.”

Stubb, on the other hand, said that he does not currently see any evidence of a weakening of NATO, although “quite harsh language has been used”.

“We need to be calm, cool and considerate, tone down the language and ensure that the coalition remains as strong in terms of capabilities as it has been up until now,” Stubb said.

A historic visit

Stubb’s visit is the first bilateral head-level visit by the President of Finland to the Czech Republic in about 30 years. President Martti Ahtisaari visited the country in 1996.

In addition to President Pavel, Stubb will also meet the Prime Minister during his visit Andrej Babishin.

Stubb and Pavel found the bilateral relations between Finland and the Czech Republic to be excellent. Stubb also made a joke about hockey at the press conference.

“When the World Cup of Hockey starts on May 15, there will be a dip in our bilateral relations,” Stubb joked.

The first day of the visit ends on Monday with a gala dinner hosted by President Pavel at Prague Castle. The visit continues on Tuesday with a business forum, which will be attended by 26 Finnish companies and the presidents of both countries.

In addition, Stubb and Pavel will participate in a conference on the future of Europe on Tuesday, where Stubb will give a speech on European security.

Stubb’s visiting party in the Czech Republic includes, among others, the Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen (kok), Member of Parliament Mikko Savola (center).