Finland’s Alexander Stubbe seeks NATO’s ‘core’ role after becoming president

Finland’s president-elect Alexander Stubbe set his sights on building a place in NATO’s inner circle on Monday after the alliance’s newest member voted him head of state.

Mr Stubb, a former prime minister, said he wanted Finland to be “at the heart of NATO” as it competes with an unpredictable Russia on its borders.

“We are a security provider, not a security consumer,” he said. “We have no restrictions on NATO membership. We have the strongest defense force in Europe and are a NATO security asset.

“We want to be at the heart of decision-making and sit around the table where decisions are made.”

As President Donald Trump moves behind the scenes and the future of NATO hangs in the balance, Stubb cools down on Finns after America’s top Republican candidate suggests he may not be able to protect allies from Russian attack. He said so.

“The US election campaign is very different from the Finnish election and the rhetoric used is quite strong,” he said.

As if to emphasize their differences, both candidates jointly addressed the press after the results were announced. “You’re one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Stubb told defeated rival Pekka Haavisto.

In the second run-off election, Mr. Stubbe won 51.6% of the votes and Mr. Haavisto received 48.4%, deciding the successor of Mr. Sauli Niinisto.

While Prime Minister Petteri Orpo oversees domestic policy, the Finnish president is an influential voice on foreign and security issues.

In 2022, Niinistö was the one who called Russian President Vladimir Putin directly to inform him that hitherto neutral Finland was planning to apply to join NATO.

Finland has long sought friendly relations with Moscow, but like neighboring Sweden, the country was on the verge of reconsidering, spooked by Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Finland and Russia cooperate on practical issues, such as guarding their 1,340-kilometre border, but they have “no political relationship” with the Kremlin, Stubb said. Finland closed its eastern land border last year after a surge in migrants from Russia.

“Until Russia ends its war of aggression against Ukraine, it will be very difficult to have relations with Russia,” he said.

Finland was admitted to NATO last year after addressing Turkey’s complaints about Kurdish militants in its territory. Sweden is still waiting for consent from Hungary.

One of the differences during the election campaign was that Mr. Stubbe was open to the deployment of nuclear weapons on Finnish territory, while Mr. Haavisto opposed it.

Nuclear weapons controlled by the United States, Britain and France are considered the ultimate guarantor of NATO’s security.

But Trump’s return to the fray raises questions about whether the United States will honor the guarantees of mutual defense in NATO’s founding treaty.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kalas said Trump’s comments should be a wake-up call for allies to increase spending on defense. The Biden administration has pledged support to Finland and NATO.

“I think it’s best at this stage to remain calm and focus on building NATO membership,” Stubbe said.

Updated: February 12, 2024, 2:59 p.m.