President Alexander Stubb has cancelled plans to visit the United States on Monday and Tuesday. He was to have taken part in the launch of Finland's new fleet of F-35A multi-role fighter planes in Fort Worth, Texas, and the inauguration of a Finnish Consulate in Houston.
Instead, Stubb will participate in European discussions on the Ukraine peace process. On Monday he will join talks in Berlin on peace negotiations concerning Ukraine. Also taking part will be "several other European heads of state and government, as well as high representatives of the EU and Nato," his office said on Friday.
Stubb made the announcement during a press conference in The Hague on Friday, referring to "the critical situation in Ukraine". He spoke at the end of his two-day state visit to the Netherlands.
EU opens paths to Ukraine membership, financial support
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting the peace conference in Berlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and "many" others, a German government spokesperson said Friday. US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will attend, according to the Wall Street Journal.
On Friday, the EU agreed to indefinitely freeze Russian assets in Europe, overruling objections from Hungary and Slovakia. That brings the EU closer to using the assets to fund Ukraine's defence.
The European Commission also decided to move Ukraine's membership process forward at a technical level despite Hungary's blocking official talks on accession. Ukraine could join the EU as early as January 2027 under the latest US plan to end the war with Russia, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos told Deutsche Welle.
2.03pm: Added Witkoff and Kushner attendance.
