The meeting follows one day after Vice President J.D. Vance, who serves under Trump, criticized Denmark—Finland’s close ally—for inadequately securing Greenland.

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb paid an unexpected visit on Saturday to join US President Donald Trump at his residence in Florida. During this meeting, they talked about enhancing the relationship between both nations and even found time for a game of golf together.

“President Stubb and I are eager to enhance the collaboration between the United States and Finland, which encompasses acquiring and developing numerous essential icebreakers for the U.S., ensuring peace and international security for our nations and the globe,” Trump stated in a social media message.

The two leaders convened for breakfast, engaged in a game of golf, and shared lunch. During their time together, they addressed various foreign policy matters, particularly focusing on Ukraine. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Stubb in Helsinki recently.

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The Finnish presidential office stated that Stubb’s unexpected trip to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in West Palm Beach, Florida, was unofficial.

The meeting occurred one day following an unscheduled visit to Greenland—partially autonomous and associated with Denmark—by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s successor, J.D. Vance. He criticized Denmark for inadequately securing the region.

Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, part of a growing international focus on competition to control the Arctic. Denmark’s government opposes such a move, as do most Greenland residents.

Finland leads global production of icebreakers. Approximately 80 percent of these vessels have been conceptualized by Finnish firms, with roughly 60 percent constructed at Finnish shipbuilding facilities.

In November, Canada, Finland, and the administration of ex-US President Joe Biden entered into an agreement known as the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE). This pact aims for them to collaborate in developing top-tier Arctic and polar icebreakers via the sharing of expertise, data, and assets.

Prior to his meeting, Stubb expressed his wish to go golfing with Trump and suggested that informal diplomatic efforts might assist Finland in keeping amicable ties with both the United States and President Trump.

Finland boasts the EU’s longest frontier with Russia. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the nation underwent a significant shift in its foreign policy after years of maintaining military non-alignment, opting instead to apply for membership alongside Sweden in NATO.

Trump’s frequent criticism of Nato allies and his shift toward normalising relations with Russia have some European countries scrambling to boost their own defence spending.

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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.

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