Finland's President Alexander Stubb announced that he had a telephone conversation with his American counterpart Donald Trump, during which they discussed the war in Ukraine and a possible deal for the supply of icebreakers, reports "Reuters", reports News.bg.
„Finland supports all efforts for an immediate ceasefire. Long-term negotiations must lead to a lasting and just peace“, Stubb wrote on the social network X. The reason for the conversation was Trump's ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin - to agree to an end to the war by Friday, otherwise the US will impose new sanctions against Russia and the countries that buy its oil, including India and China.
The topic of icebreakers was also touched upon in the conversation. According to Trump, the US is in talks to purchase 15 icebreakers from Finland.
“Finland has built 60% of the icebreakers in the world. We have the capacity to produce them reliably and quickly“, Stubb emphasized on Monday.
The US president has long insisted that the US Navy have at least 40 icebreakers as part of a strategy to strengthen national security and presence in the Arctic. According to him, these ships will play a key role in maintaining supply routes and access to strategic resources in the region - oil, gas and rare minerals.