Finnish President Alexander Stubb issued a clarion call for European unity at the Munich Security Conference, demanding swift military and economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine’s position in potential peace talks led by the United States. With U.S. officials signaling exclusion of European nations from negotiations, Stubb emphasized maximum pressure through three phases: rearming Ukraine, freezing Russian assets, and securing ceasefire terms favoring Kyiv.
The ball is in Europe’s court now, Stubb declared, warning that fragmented EU responses risk weakening Ukraine’s leverage as Trump prepares to negotiate with Putin. His urgent roadmap includes:
- Accelerating weapons deliveries to fortify frontline defenses
- Expanding sanctions targeting Russia’s energy exports
- Finalizing legal frameworks to redirect $300B in frozen Russian assets toward reconstruction
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs echoed Stubb's urgency, stating
If Europe hesitates, we become irrelevant – to Washington and our own citizens.Their warnings come as Zelenskyy spars with U.S. officials over a paused rare earth minerals deal, revealing tensions in aligning transatlantic priorities.
With Trump asserting control over diplomatic channels, analysts warn Europe’s window to influence outcomes narrows daily. Updated intel suggests Russian forces are stockpiling Iranian drones near Kharkiv, escalating pressure on EU leaders to convert conference rhetoric into tank deliveries and air defense pacts.
