Alexander Stubb was left momentarily taken aback after an Australian journalist put forward a suggestion on how Europe could deal with Donald Trump during a public event in London.
The exchange took place during a Q&A session at Chatham House on Tuesday (local time), where Stubb was speaking about global security and the war in Ukraine.
Latika Bourke, a journalist with The Nightly, asked whether Europe could attempt to strike a deal with the US president by offering support in the Middle East in return for stronger backing for Ukraine.
“Why doesn’t Europe go to Trump and say, if you want assistance in the Gulf, here’s what we want you to do on Ukraine?” Bourke asked.
Stubb appeared surprised by the suggestion before responding: “I think that’s a really good idea, I might pick you up on that”.
After laughter from the audience, he paused briefly before continuing: “No, I think it’s actually a really good idea”.
“I’m available for advice,” Bourke responded.
“Can my team take your phone number please?” Stubb joked.
“No, but I mean, yeah. I’ll think about it, I’ll talk about it with my colleagues.”
The exchange comes as the relationship between Stubb and Trump has drawn attention in recent months, after the pair played golf and had lunch together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in March 2025.
Since then, Stubb has been seen as a key European point of contact with the White House.
However, during the same event, the Finnish president downplayed his ability to influence the US leader.
“I have no illusions about who can convince President Trump on anything,” he said.
“If I get one idea out of 10 in on Ukraine, I think it’s good.”
The discussion comes as tensions in the Middle East remain high, with Trump this week pushing for a naval coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
