Stubb Cancels United States Visit due to Ukraine situation after Finland’s president decided to remain in Europe amid what he described as a decisive moment in negotiations surrounding Ukraine’s future. The cancellation reflects the growing urgency of diplomatic efforts as discussions on peace, territorial integrity, and security guarantees intensify across the continent.
President Alexander Stubb was originally scheduled to travel to Texas early next week. His itinerary included the unveiling of Finland’s first F-35 fighter jet at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth and the official opening of a new Finnish consulate in Houston. Both engagements have now been removed from his schedule.
The cancellation was first reported by Iltalehti and later confirmed by the Office of the President.
Speaking on Friday at a press conference in The Hague, where he is on a state visit to the Netherlands, Stubb explained that the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine made the US trip untenable. According to him, the pace of negotiations has accelerated significantly.
“Peace talks are closer to a conclusion than at any point in the last four years,” Stubb said, emphasizing the need for Finland to be directly involved in European level discussions.
Why Stubb cancelled his US visit
Instead of traveling to the United States, Stubb will participate in high level discussions in Europe next week focused on Ukraine’s future and long term security guarantees. While he did not publicly confirm the exact location, multiple reports indicate that a key meeting is scheduled for Monday in Berlin.
The meeting is being hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and is expected to bring together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, senior EU officials, NATO representatives, and several European leaders. The talks are expected to focus on the framework of a potential settlement and the security architecture needed to support Ukraine in the long term.
Stubb said his final travel plans would be confirmed over the weekend, leaving open the possibility of his direct participation in the Berlin meeting.
During the press conference, Stubb outlined the main challenges still facing negotiators. These include unresolved territorial questions and Ukraine’s aspirations for European Union membership.
According to Stubb, one of the core objectives of the ongoing talks is a clear and unequivocal confirmation of Ukraine’s European path. He stressed that any ambiguity on this point would undermine both Ukraine’s future stability and broader European security.
Stubb also drew a firm line regarding occupied territories. He rejected any suggestion that areas currently under Russian control could be formally recognized as Russian territory.
“Finland will never recognize any part of Ukraine as Russian territory,” he said, reaffirming Helsinki’s long standing position on international law and territorial integrity.
Stubb made the announcement while on a state visit to the Netherlands, where he has been meeting with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. Discussions during the visit have focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing shared concerns around European security.
The timing of the cancellation underscores how central the Ukraine situation has become to European political calendars, even overriding long planned diplomatic and defense related engagements abroad.
As negotiations enter what Stubb described as a critical phase, Finland’s leadership appears intent on remaining closely engaged in shaping the outcome.
