Stubb Proposes April 20 Ceasefire Deadline as Trump's Patience with Putin Wanes

Kyiv, Ukraine – Finnish President Alexander Stubb has indicated that former U.S. President Donald Trump is growing increasingly impatient with Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, Stubb addressed a question from journalist Fareed Zakaria about whether Trump would exert more pressure on Putin to end the war. Stubb, who has emerged as a key intermediary between Trump and European leaders, suggested a specific deadline for a ceasefire.

President Stubb, known for his unique diplomatic rapport with Trump, including shared golf outings, revealed that Trump's patience with Russia's stalling tactics is diminishing. "I mean you know never underestimate the capacity of President Trump to negotiate a deal," Stubb stated during the interview, highlighting Trump's active engagement in international affairs over the past year. He noted that Trump has threatened "far-reaching" plans, including potential secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on all Russian oil, should Moscow fail to agree to a ceasefire.

Stubb has been actively involved in high-level discussions, including a meeting at the White House with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other European leaders. During these talks, security guarantees for Ukraine were a top priority, alongside proposals for bilateral and trilateral meetings involving Zelenskyy, Putin, and Trump. Stubb emphasized that "we need a deadline" for a ceasefire, suggesting April 20th as a suitable date, citing its proximity to Easter and marking three months since Trump took office.

Finland, sharing a long border with Russia and having joined NATO in 2023, maintains a strong stance on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Stubb has consistently stressed that Ukraine should not be forced into territorial concessions, drawing parallels to Finland's own historical experiences but asserting that Ukraine's situation demands a different outcome. He clarified that an unconditional ceasefire on the line of contact, without land swaps, would be the initial step before broader negotiations about territory and other elements could begin.