As a select group of European leaders about Ukraine talks to US President Donald Trump, the Finnish President Alexander Stubb is often there. This is also the case on Monday evening. What is the role of this ‘golf buddy’ of Trump?
The 57-year-old Stubb is one of the seven Europeans who, together with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zenskyy, was invited to talk about the war in Ukraine in the White House on Monday. At first his presence seems crazy. Finland is only briefly at NATO and you can even call the country with some good will not a superpower. Yet his place at the table is very logical, also from a European perspective.
Stubb joins French President Emmanuel Macron, the German government leader Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chef Mark Rutte. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also present. She is an admirer of Trumps policy.
When it became known that Zensky would travel to Washington on Monday, Stubbs was called one of the first to accompany him. According to the Police news site, Stubb is one of Trump’s favorite conversation partners. “The idea is that Stubb can help prevent any collisions between Trump and Zensky and convince the US president to involve Europe in further conversations,” Politico writes.
Stubb is now seen as ‘Trump whisperer’. According to the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Trump has become more critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin and he is closer to Europe, “partly because of the influence of Stubb”. Not only European leaders, but even American officials would call in the help of Stubb in mediation with Trump.
The connecting power of Golf
The special bond between Trump and the Finnish president came about five months ago during a game of Golf in the American Palm Beach. Stubb complied with a professional golf career in his youth. It earned him a stock market, which allowed him to study at Furman University in South Carolina in the 1980s. He studied American politics and international relations there.
“He is a very good player,” Trump wrote on his Platform Truth Social after his golf session with Stubb. The Finnish president said diplomatic that Trumps golf game “is much better than people think”.
During lunch, Trump would have asked Stubb if he could trust Putin. “That is not possible,” Stubb replied. He would have said that Putin only understands strength and he would have argued for strict sanctions and a strict deadline for a ceasefire.
Despite their different vision of Putin and NATO (Stubb is a great champion of that, while Trump is not very enthusiastic about it), the men seem to be able to agree with each other. Trump could, for example, appreciate the way Stubb communicates. “People know that we do not have a hidden agenda and we are also quite direct,” said Stubb in July about his communication style.
According to the WSJ , Trump and Stubb regularly hang on the phone in the morning (Finnish time). In addition, they text about golf tournaments, among other things. Trump would also have contacted Stubb once before he spoke with Putin.
The role of the president in Finland
The Finnish president shares power with the prime minister. The president is at the head of the army and plays an important role in the interpretation of foreign policy. For example, President Finland represents as head of state abroad. The Finnish president is therefore present at the NATO tops.
Bridge builder between Europe and Trump
But only the description of Golfmaatje or Trump whisperer does Stubb deficit. Before Stubb took office as President of Finland in 2024, he worked in Brussels for a long time. First for the European Commission and then as a member of parliament. As a result, he knows the European working method well.
After Brussels, Stubb made a career as a politician in Finland and he was Minister of Foreign Affairs and later Prime Minister. As a politician, he committed himself to NATO testing. According to the WSJ , he stood out for his confident style. “His opponents accused him of arrogance and criticized him for wore and sweared shorts during diplomatic encounters.”
As a Finn, Stubb can also understand the situation in which Ukraine is located. In 1940 the Finns Land had to give up to the powerful Russia. They also had to limit their army. Stubb wants to protect Ukraine from the same fate, he said in an interview with The New York Times .
Stubb also regularly speaks with Zensky. After his golf session with Trump, Stubb – after bells to European leaders – would also have informed the Ukrainian president. He would also have helped to repair the damage after Zensky and Trump had a fight in the White House. According to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Stubb is a bridge between Europe and Trump.
“Stubbs role is exceptional,” headed the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat last week. It is a combination of his band with Trump, the Finnish support for Ukraine, his personality and his knowledge of and connections in Brussels who do it. In fact, it would be crazier if Stubb would not be present at the conversation on Monday evening.
When a Select Group of European Leaders Discusses Ukraine with Us President Donald Trump, Finnish President Alexander Stubb is present. This was also the case on Monday Evening. What is the role of this ‘golf buddy’ or trump?
The 57-Year-old Stubb is one of the seven Europeans who, Together with Ukrainian President Volodyymyr Zensky, Has Been Invited to the White House on Monday to Talk ABout the War in Ukraine. Initially, His Presence Seems Odd. Finland Has Only recent Joined Nato, and even with some goodwill, The Country Cannot Be Called a Major Power. Yet, his place at the table is very logical, also from a European perspective.
Stubb Joins French President Emmanuel Macron, German Head of Government Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Nato Chief Mark Rutte. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also present. She is an Admirer or Trump’s policies.
When it Became Known That Zelensky would travel to Washington on Monday, Stubb’s name was one of the first mentioned to accompany Him. Accordance to News Site Polico , Stubb is One of Trump’s favorite interlocutors. “The Idea is that Stubb Can Help Prevent Potential Clashes Between Trump and Zensky and Convince the American President to Involve Europe in Further Talks,” Writes Polico .
Stubb is now seen as a ‘Trump Whisperer.’ For Example, Accordance to the American Newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) , Trump Has Become More Critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Is Closer to Europe, “Partly Because of Stubb’s Influence.” Not only European Leaders, But Even American Officials Are Said to Call On Stubb’s Help in Mediating With Trump.
The Connecting Power of Golf
The Special Bond Between Trump and the Finnish President Arose About Five Months ago Duration a Round of Golf in Palm Beach, Florida. Stubb pursued a Professional Golf Career in His Youth. It earned Him a Scholarship, Allowing Him to Study at Furman University in South Carolina in the 1980S. There, the Delved Into American Politics and International Relations.
“He is a very good player,” Trump wrote on his platform truth social after his golf session with stubb. The Finnish President Said Diplomatically That Trump’s Golf Game “Is Much Better Than People Think.”
Duration lunch, Trump Reportedly Asked Stubb IF He Could Trust Putin. “You can’t,” Stubb Replied. He is said to have added that putin -only understands strength, and he reportedly advocated for stricter sanctions and a strict deadline for a ceasefire.
Despite Their Different Views on Putin and Nato (Stubb is a great lawyer of it, While Trump is Less Enthusiastic), The Men Seem to Get Along Well. For Example, Trump is Said to Appreciate the Way Stubb Communicates. “People know that we fins have no hidden agenda, and we are also QUITE direct,” Stubb Said in July about his communication style.
Accordance to the wsj , Trump and Stubb Regularly Talk on the Phone in the Mornings (Finnish Time). They also text about golf tournaments, among other things. Trump also reported stubb Once before speak with Putin.
The Role of the President in Finland
The Finnish President Shares Power With The Prime Minister. The President is the head of the military and plays an important Role in Shaping Foreign Policy. The President Refesserts Finland Abroad as Head of State. The Finnish President is Therefore Present at Nato Summits.
Bridge Builder Between Europe and Trump
But Only the description of Golf Buddy or Trump Whisperer Does Stubb Injustice. Before Stubb taught Office as President of Finland in 2024, HE Worked in Brussels for a Long Time. First for the European Commission and then as a member of the European Parliament. As a result, the knows the European way of working well.
After Brussels, Stubb Made A Career A politician in Finland and Was, Among Other Things, Minister of Foreign Affairs and later Prime Minister. As a politician, he campaigned hard for nato Accession. Accordance to the wsj , he stood out for his confident style. “HIS Opponents Accused Him of arrogance and criticized Him for Wearing Shorts and Cursing Duration Diplomatic Meetings.”
As a finn, stubb can also understand the situation in which ukraine finds itelf well. In 1940, The Finns had to be land to powerful Russia. They also had to limit their army. Stubb hens to spare ukraine the same fate, he said in an interview with the new york times .
Stubb also speaks regular with zensky. After His Golf Session with Trump, Stubb – After Calls to European Leaders – Also Reportedly Informed the Ukrainian President. He also repaired repair the damage after Zelensky and Trump had a Falling Out in the White House. Accordance to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Stubb Forms A Bridge Between Europe and Trump.
“Stubb’s Role is exceptional,” The Finnish Newspaper Helsingin Sanomat Headlined Last Week. It is a combination of his relationship with Trump, Finnish Support for Ukraine, His personality, and his Knowledge of and Connections in Brussels That Do It For Him. Actually, it would be stranger if stubb were not present at the meeting on Monday Evening.