Monday marked a major day for diplomacy in Washington, DC, as US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders, including Finland's President Alexander Stubb.
News of Stubb’s participation in the Ukraine peace talks dominated Finnish headlines on Tuesday morning. Tabloid Ilta-Sanomat reported that Trump showered Stubb with compliments during a meeting with the European leaders.
"You've done a great job, and we wanted to have you here because you are somebody that we all respect," Trump told Stubb.
Trump added Stubb has had "a lot to do" with the potential success of the proceedings and appreciated his presence there.
IS reports that Trump also praised Stubb’s appearance, saying, "You look better than ever." When Trump gave Stubb the floor to speak, he described him as a "young and powerful man." The 57-year-old Stubb jokingly said he would relay the compliments to his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb.
Stubb held a press briefing at the Finnish Embassy in Washington at the end of the day’s proceedings.
Workers needed
Although Finland's job market is currently bleak, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment predicts a looming shortage of professionals in several sectors, according to an Iltalehti report.
Iltalehti detailed which professions are expected to be most in demand across Finland and their projected salaries.
According to the ministry's Labour Force Barometer, healthcare and social services will face the greatest shortages. By October 2025, registered and practical nurses will be in the highest demand, appearing in the top ten shortage list in nearly every region.
General practitioners will also be needed, especially in Ostrobothnia, with shortages extending to Northern Savonia, Kainuu and Southeast Finland. Some of these roles are highly paid, with senior doctors and specialists earning up to 9,000 euros per month.
Social services will also face workforce shortages, particularly for psychologists and specialised social workers. Other professions appearing in the national top-ten shortage list include kindergarten teachers, application designers, welders, security guards, and earthmoving machine operators.
In Uusimaa, the largest workforce shortages are expected in healthcare, IT, and the service sector, with salaries ranging from roughly 2,362 euros to 7,008 euros per month.
Finland currently faces a labour surplus in most regions, except Lapland and Åland. North Karelia has the highest unemployment at 12 percent, while Åland (4.6%), Ostrobothnia (6.4%) and Southern Ostrobothnia (6.6%) have the lowest. The barometer predicts unemployment will ease across the country in 2025, dropping 0.3–1.6 percentage points by October.
Temperatures drop
Time to dig out the jackets and put away the shorts — a cold northern wind is bringing below-average temperatures across Finland for the rest of the week, reports Maaseudun Tulevaisuus.
On Tuesday, highs will mostly stay below 20 degrees Celsius, but drop down below 10 degrees Celsius in Lapland. From Wednesday onward, daytime temperatures in southern Finland will hover around 15 degrees Celsius.
The average temperature over the five days will likely be 2-4 degrees below average and frost is possible at night even in southern Finland.
Over the next few days, the heaviest rain is expected in northern Finland, while elsewhere showers will be brief and localised.
