On April 29, 2025, Finnish President Alexander Stubb made a harsh statement in an interview with the American publication The New York Times, warning Russia against underestimating the resolve of US President Donald Trump.

"Trump's patience is running out. I hope the Kremlin understands this. Trump is not to be trifled with," — Stubb emphasized, commenting on the current geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West.

The statement comes amid increased sanctions against Russia's oil and gas sector, attacks on infrastructure and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, making the Finnish leader's words a significant signal to Moscow.

Stubb, known for his tough stance on Russia, especially after Finland joined NATO in April 2023, pointed to a change in the Trump administration's approach. He said Trump's second term, which began in January 2025, would be characterized by more decisive actions, including tightening economic pressure on Russia. As reported by Reuters, since March 2025, the United States has imposed new sanctions aimed at restricting Russian oil exports and has also stepped up military support for Ukraine.

Finland, which shares an 1340-km border with Russia, is taking an increasingly active role in NATO, adding weight to Stubb’s statements. According to Yle, Helsinki agreed in April 2025 to host US military bases on its territory as part of the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed in December 2023. The decision was criticized by Moscow, which called it a “provocation.” Commenting on these developments, Stubb stressed that Finland does not seek confrontation, but is ready to defend its interests and support its allies.

"We don't want war, but Russia must understand that NATO is not just empty words," — he added in an interview.

The context of the statement is related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russia, despite Western sanctions, retains the military initiative. According to the BBC, in March 2025, Russian troops intensified their offensive in the DPR, which provoked new arms deliveries to Kyiv. Trump, who had previously promised to “end the conflict in 24 hours,” faced domestic political challenges, including pressure from Republicans to take a tougher line against Moscow. According to The Washington Post, the Trump administration is considering imposing secondary sanctions on countries.