Finland calls on EU to bolster security in wake of Trump’s US election win

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) – Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Thursday urged European leaders to strengthen its security after Donald Trump’s victory in Tuesday’s US presidential election.

“Europe must and will do more for its security. We’re on the right track, certainly compared to Trump’s previous term,” Valtonen said on X.

She called for more cooperation and trade across the Atlantic, “not less.”

“You don’t set tariffs against your friends and allies, which not only weakens them but yourself, too,” the minister added.

In terms of Ukraine, Valtonen emphasized that there should not be any negotiations without Kyiv agreeing on any peace plans.

“There is no negotiation on Ukraine without Ukraine,” she stressed, adding that Finland is fully committed to further strengthening transatlantic ties and the free world.

With former President Donald Trump set to reclaim the US presidency, leaders around the world, including generations-old European allies, on Wednesday congratulated him on his nonconsecutive second term in the White House.

During his campaign, Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine “in a day,” raising fears among European and NATO allies that Russia would end up with territorial gains.

He also stated on several occasions that Europe should pay for its own security rather than expecting Washington to bail it out.

On Thursday, EU leaders gathered for a summit in Budapest, Hungary’s capital, where the US presidential election dominated discussions.