Stubb: Blocking Trump–Putin meeting was a serious misstep by Russia
Photo: Finnish President Alexander Stubb (Getty Images)
The cancellation of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Budapest is a strategic mistake by Russia - Finnish President Alexander Stubb said so in an interview with the Associated Press.
The decision to cancel the Trump-Putin meeting was made after a phone call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Stubb noted that during the call, Rubio likely realized that "the Russians haven’t moved an inch," and therefore there was "no point in taking President Trump into a situation whereby he doesn’t get a deal or anything."
Canceling the meeting "was another example of a strategic mistake by the Russians. They had an opportunity and they blew it," the Finnish president stressed.
Stubb also said that golf has become a "door-opener" that helped him establish a connection with Trump.
In his view, although Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have "tempestuous relationship," he and other European leaders can help serve as a bridge between them.
"We interpret President Trump to President Zelenskyy and vice versa," the Finnish president added.
He believes that when it comes to Putin, only one person should conduct direct and public talks with him — and that person is Trump.
Stubb also said the EU is unlikely to open a direct communication channel with Putin any time soon.
Trump canceled meeting with Putin
In October, US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced plans to hold an in-person meeting in Budapest after a phone conversation.
However, the US leader soon canceled the meeting.
The reason was Russia's refusal to change its unreasonable demands regarding conditions for ending the war in Ukraine. Trump publicly stated that he was "not going to waste his time."
Afterward, on October 23, Trump imposed sanctions on two of Russia’s oil giants — Rosneft and Lukoil. The US Treasury Department urged Moscow to immediately agree to a ceasefire.
Later, Trump said he was open to a new meeting with Putin, but only if a real agreement to end the war in Ukraine could be reached.
The Kremlin confirmed that the dictator was allegedly open to talks, but no specific date for a summit has been set.
