In a CNN interview, President Alexander Stubb commented on US President Donald Trump's recent call for Nato countries to shoot down Russian drones in their airspace.
During the interview, CNN asked Stubb how he would respond to an airspace violation, specifically, whether he would order the drones shot down.
"No. We have protocols," Stubb replied. "So basically, what happens is that first we verify, then we announce, and then it's the Air Force that decides what needs to happen."
The interviewer also asked Stubb for his view on Trump's remarks.
"I think it's a strong deterrent coming from the president of the United States," he replied.
Stubb told the news network that dealings with Russia require a 'carrot-and-stick' approach.
"In the beginning, we've tried the carrot, and now President Trump is showing the stick. And I think the statement on shooting down the airplanes is part of that," he said.
“The key is not to overreact"
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that both Nato and the EU have declared war on Russia through Ukraine.
Stubb swiftly dismissed the assertion, saying, "we are not at war with Russia."
According to Stubb, Russian President Vladimir Putin is pursuing a two-pronged strategy: conventional warfare in Ukraine and hybrid warfare in the west.
"In hybrid warfare situations, you keep on testing," he explained.
Stubb cited last year's Christmas Day cable cuts in the Baltic and recent drone incursions as examples.
"What we need to do in these kinds of situations is two things: One, we stay calm. Second, we build up defences so that it doesn't happen again. The key here is not to overreact," he said.
Commenting on some of Europe's ideological differences with the United States, Stubb emphasised shared values.
"I'm the president of Finland, so for me it's very important to get along with the president of the United States. I don't see red or blue, I see stars and stripes," he said.
