As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gears up to meet US President Donald Trump on Monday in Washington, DC, many are reminded of his last visit to the capital in February. The humiliating episode began with Trump mocking the Ukrainian President for not wearing a suit, but what followed was even more disastrous: a shouting match ensued between the two, with Trump insulting Zelenskyy all in front of the world's TV cameras.
Now that Trump stunned the world by giving a red carpet welcome for Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Alaska summit, Europe doesn’t want a repeat of the February episode. Anxious that Zelenskyy won’t get the same friendly treatment, the European leaders are playing their trump card to improve Kyiv’s chances. Ukraine’s allies have sent an otherwise little-known European leader to appease Trump, and he is none other than Finland President Alexander Stubb.
They believe Stubb, one of Trump’s favorite interlocutors, can prevent “any flare-ups” between the US President and Zelenskyy. The Finnish leader can also convince Trump to include Europe in further peace talks with Putin.
Finland’s President Stubb: The U.S. elected Trump. His foreign policy is transactional.
— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) July 12, 2025
You have to adapt and find ways to influence. Diplomacy is both state and personal, people make the decisions. My heart is often in North America. 1/ pic.twitter.com/4Z96Xt7Vwe
The Golf-loving Stubb is one of the leaders who managed to cultivate a close relationship with Trump, not just in geopolitical matters but also about the sport itself. The duo is said to share inputs about Russia, which shares a land border with Finland. Trump has also made no secret of his liking for Stubb, calling him a good player. “I just played a round of Golf with Alexander Stubb, president of Finland. He is a very good player,” Trump said after playing a round with Stubb in March at Mar-a-Lago. Trump even gifted Stubb a new set of clubs to replace the 20-year-old set he brought with him.
Ever since that, Stubb has become a point of contact for European leaders and U.S. officials seeking to influence Trump’s policy positions, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Though Finnish officials have not commented on whether Stubb supports Trump’s approach regarding Ukraine ceding territory, sources in Helsinki said that Finland’s participation aims to ensure Europe’s voice is heard in any negotiations. His presence is also seen as symbolic, considering that he represents a Nordic nation that shares a border with Russia.
