Finland's Stubb says Ukraine peace talks are advancing and Russia threat is manageable

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he believes diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine are moving in a better direction, crediting U.S. President Donald Trump for pressing for negotiations. Speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Stubb said he has seen steady behindthescenes coordination among Ukraine, the United States and European governments. Stubb also pushed back on warnings that Russia could soon launch a direct attack on Finland or other European countries. He said Finland does not see a factual basis for that scenario, while stressing that Moscow still poses a wider security challenge through cyberattacks, sabotage and other hybrid actions. The Finnish president said his country remains calm because it is prepared. He pointed to Finland's military service system, large reserve force, extensive civil shelters and recent defense investments, including the arrival of the first F35 fighter jets. Finland joined NATO in 2023 after Russia's fullscale invasion of Ukraine. Beyond Ukraine, Stubb used his UNGA remarks to back continued support for Kyiv and to warn that conflicts involving Russia, Iran and other regions are increasingly connected. He also repeated that Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons and said the international community must deal with several crises at once.