Finnish PM: No logic in Trump's moves siding with Russia on Ukraine

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Thursday that there is “no logic” in recent moves by U.S. President Donald Trump that favor Russia in its war against Ukraine, and that Trump's true allies are in Europe. Orpo made the remarks in an interview with POLITICO on the sidelines of the European Council summit in Brussels, where EU leaders were meeting. His comments reflect alarm among Ukraine's backers after Trump announced a diesel deal with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The diesel deal

This week Trump announced an arrangement to release Russian diesel onto the market, apparently to reduce fuel costs for American consumers. Ukraine's allies fear it will raise Russia's fuel revenue and give Moscow more money for the war. Trump also said Ukraine should stop striking Russian fossil fuel facilities and should replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Reports say the U.S. has also limited Kyiv's access to military intelligence and technology.

“My message to him is that we are allies,” Orpo said. “We are in NATO. And what is the biggest threat against NATO? It’s Russia.” He said he would not trust Putin in Trump's position, and agreed with Zelenskyy that the U.S. is on the “wrong side of history.” Orpo suggested the motive may be domestic, since U.S. midterm elections take place on Nov. 3. He also said the amount of Russian diesel that could be sold to the U.S. is too small to matter much for American consumers.

Assets and budget

Orpo said Ukraine needs more military support and air defense, and that Europe must work out how to finance Kyiv this winter and next year. Finland and Sweden are pushing the European Commission to reopen the contentious question of using Russian assets frozen in European banks. Belgium blocked such a deal last year over legal concerns. Finland has asked the Commission to keep working with Belgium and other member states on a solution.

Orpo also urged EU leaders to agree on the bloc's roughly €2 trillion long-term budget by year-end, warning that next year's elections, including in France, could complicate talks. Finland holds its own election in April 2027, and Orpo's National Coalition Party is struggling in polls.