Understanding the war in Ukraine - Q&A

[@nephilimorder9622]

I First saw you on an American News channel interview, I actually watched it twice. In a crowd of "Experts" you stood apart, intelligent, composed, highly knowledgeable and humorous. I thank you for your candour and insights. W in South Africa

[@zawiszaczarny7876]

Most western "expert" do not understand this part of europe, nor they understand thos conflict, they have no idea what Russia really is and what it whant's and talk in generalised way, same here.

[@alexandruraresdatcu]

Would be poetical if the Finns apply for NATO membership on the 9. may.

[@ssc00p]

Oh... I suggested that too here before I saw yours.... 😂

[@annnee6818]

Oooh yes. Epic

[@louissavoy4832]

Best idea I've heard so far today! It's barely 8:00 in the morning it's true, but you set a high bar.

[@navinkv7024]

And prove to the whole world that today's Finland is a much more 😺 fied version of what used to be a nation with backbone? Stop being naive! Don't provoke the Russian bear!

[@Foureye15]

@@navinkv7024 So to provoke the largest country in the world is to lack a backbone? Man I wish these russian trolls would at least think through their rubbish before posting it

[@ssc00p]

The 9th of May would be an excellent moment for Finland to announce its candidacy to join NATO.

[@bennybenny43]

Well... Not sure. Could look like a childish provocation too.

[@ssc00p]

@@bennybenny43 Right... lets do it then....

[@bennybenny43]

@@ssc00p I think you misunderstood me. End of World War II is a symbol for all Europe. Not only Russia. Respect the death.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

​​@@bennybenny43I agree with your opinion.

[@fredrikkjellman1166]

Tack Alexander !

[@ongwy66]

Thank you Prof. Stubb for the amazing, clear and concise analysis, and opinions. I immediately subscribed to the channel after your call at the last part of this video, as I would like to hear more of your views on China.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Are you out of your mind?

[@territhomas8792]

Terrific presentation as always. i love your style and ease of explanations.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Terrific in another way.

[@matteand]

Briljanta analyser och fantastiskt väl presenterade! Ser verkligen fram emot mer. Hälsningar från Sverige.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Oi köyhä.

[@juusto9000]

One big part of this is also energy. The deposits of natural gas found in Ukraine definitely play a role in the calculus considering how dependent Russia’s economy is of European energy demand. If Ukraine were to undercut their offers it would be a huge blow to their economy.

[@Naksuu]

Energy is addressed in these videos thoroughly, understand what you listen and the answer comes naturally..

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Russia itself is the biggest exporter of gas. It's about other Ukrainian raw materials and farmland they don't award to America.

[@davidvines6498]

I watched a movie from Ukraine on Netflix the other night, Kruty 1918, the movie was about 300 cadets holding off 4000 Bolsheviks. 104 years Later, Russia has repeated History. I do know the Finland has had it’s Wars with Russia too and it’s interesting to get your perspective on this aggression by Russia

[@monaliza3334]

Finns was on Hitlers side, all you need to know. Flip flops...

[@davidvines6498]

@@monaliza3334 some people prefer the limited freedoms of Fascism over the loss of freedom under Communism. Putin and his followers prefer the limited freedoms of Fascism

[@shanedezorzi5800]

Good analysis

[@robertvanslooten9475]

O yes???

[@natoflores8723]

Regionalization will be driven by the regional development of high voltage distribution (HVDC) electrical networks whereby countries are able to share renewable energy. It will consist of North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East? Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific Region.

[@Chr0nalis]

Thanks for the videos! Can you steelman or refute Russia's claims on a)The US actively meddles in the east b) NATO is a threat to Russia. - In general, it would be nice to have an episode on US/NATO's past "special military operations", some of which are compared to a certain extent to the current events. I read some parts of NATO's official document "setting the record straight" but many parts sound similarly to what Russia is saying about their invasion. A more important philosophical question is: Is there a good and bad side? Is US/NATO the good guy? Can you blame the east for seeing it differently or is it just decades of Russian/Chinese propaganda?

[@lembergnative7731]

I grew up in Soviet Union. Then emigrated to the US 29 years ago. I'd prefer to be in the West. Nuff said.

[@bennybenny43]

Be honest. You Can Guess in avance what he will answer.

[@Chr0nalis]

@@lembergnative7731 I mostly grew up in the West and currently live here as well. I am on Nato's side, but it's always important to be critical of yourself. Otherwise you can one day realise that you are the baddy all along.

[@lembergnative7731]

@@Chr0nalis I’m just on Ukraine’s side. I don’t care about global politics, my homeland did nothing to deserve this! All this NATO blame is just BS, Ukraine’s history with Russia predates NATO by a couple hundred years.

[@ledermanrobert]

Can you please elaborate on your claim that the Winter War and the Continuation War were proxy wars? And what parties were involved as the non combatants in the field?

[@elkoikan5993]

I know Moldova will be happy if Ukraine wins vs Russia!

[@darrencampbell6809]

Who said he thought it would take 48 hours?

[@robertaurens5665]

Don't forget to tell the truth about why Russia was forced to act

[@deevee4994]

Two words would clarify completely this war without all the babbling. SCOTT RITTER

[@SamiNami]

Regionalisation of globalisation sounds like some kind of double speak.

[@notyetdeathnotyetdeath3579]

If u dnt war tn don't formed alliance disintegrate nato first..then only there will be peace in the world u guys can do watevr u want n blame others

[@robertaurens5665]

Yet another clairvoyant and mind reader who knows what Putin thinks. Fake guru

[@Worselol]

Когда Путин говорил, что закончит войну за 24 часа?

[@als5482]

this guy is the biggest liar

[@mikaellindroos1594]

Troll.

[@capt2026]

This whole series has been fascinating. Brilliant!

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Are you joking?

[@stasa-X]

I love Finland as a country and i am a follower of you in every interview which i found in KZbin 👍 and in this channel of course. I agree 💯. I love the way who talk, easy can understand your English. My greetings from Greece!!!!

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Do you agree 100 % with Stubb? Then you must be 100 % out of your mind.

[@stasa-X]

@@robertvanslooten9475 It depends dude,i can say that many people are out of minds too!!!

[@rachelsimmonds5828]

Brilliant! I’ve never been interested in global affairs. Your explanations are great. There is a video on YT interviewing Sergej Sumlenny who discusses the breakup of the RF I would like to hear your thoughts or maybe even a video on that. Particularly as there is a lot of Finnish descent in some Russian States.

[@elizabethmorton4904]

On another subject: For those of us outside of Europe, it would be very helpful to have a video lecture explaining the European Union in general. It appears to be primarily an economic union, but I gather it also has a set of political principles (e.g. independence of the judiciary, free and fair elections, etc.). What are the Union's overall goals, economically and politically? To what extent do the participating nations need to surrender sovereignty? What will further integration mean in terms of the nations' sovereignty? How does the Union accommodate (or not) the rightward swing of Hungary and Poland? How can the participating countries maintain their own unique cultures/languages in the face of the homogenizing influence of integration - and in this connection, how does the Union take account of varying political cultures (I'm thinking particularly here of Poland and Hungary)?

[@eijahalme5119]

You made good questions and since you have not had any answer from anyone so far, I will say something. I am just an ordinary citizen but very much interested in this topic and real advocate for the EU. Start of the union has been attributed to several origins, but I will not talk about those. The main reason that I am such a supporter is that there has never, ever been such a long stretch of peace in Europe as there has been since the inception of the Union. Before that we were killing and destroying each other every few years. War doesn't bring prosperity and well-being... You mentioned all the oppositions there are and yes, the EU is not a big happy family, lots of voices and people who need a personal enemy and a big institute is a good personification for it. Go ahead, throw some words about, they need to be said. Better throwing words than bombs at each other! Not a family rather than a wooden ship that creaks in each of its seams but keeps going forth anyway. And the future plans, well, there are 27 deciding nations, and they will all have their say in it. It is easy to think of the EU as a direction determining body, but all of those need to go through the member states, so I am not sure if the future can be predicted with any believeable accuracy. I can say that the Union has brought a lot of stability and prosperity to its memberstates and opportunitiestothe citizens. Very bureaucratic, yes, moves and develops slowly but there's positive sides to that too. Hope this helps a bit...

[@elizabethmorton4904]

@@eijahalme5119 Thank you! I understand that the primary purpose has been peace, but in the beginning it was primarily a free trade zone - the "common market." I would appreciate Prof. Stubb explaining how he, at least, sees the EU at this point in its existence. And I get that with 27 different members, describing its present purposes/visions can be a tricky bit of diplomacy, but it would be very interesting.

[@eijahalme5119]

@@elizabethmorton4904 thanks. Let's hope that Prof Subb will reply, his view must be interesting.

[@elizabethmorton4904]

@@eijahalme5119 I sent an email to Stubbs via EUI, and he said "not a bad idea; will consider" - so we might get it.

[@paul1979uk2000]

@@elizabethmorton4904 The EU has always been about political and economic integration shortly after the second world war, just that economic integration is easier to do than political integration. The main purpose of it was to prevent another war among its members which it's been very successful at that, now its main aim is to protect it's members political, economic and social interest which more integration and working closer together is likely needed in a world where we have the US and China growing its power base. Basically, the EU is here now to protect European interest in a world of superpower that the individual members will find it much harder to protect it's interest, so I expect a lot more integration in the decades to come, not because we want it but because it's needed.

[@jbepsilon]

About the regionalization issue you mention; Is the Western world ready to take a more principled stand on who its trading partners should be? Maybe replacing "all trade is good, no questions asked" with "trade is good, BUT trade with autocrats makes the autocrats stronger, so lets not do that unless absolutely necessary". Is it at all realistic to require some level of commitment to human rights and democracy from our trading partners? The huge elephant in the room of this argument is, of course, China.

[@gvines]

I believe it is unrealistic

[@ellengran6814]

Hitler said he fought with Christ against the evil bolsheviks . The western world say they fight for democracy against the evil authoritarians. In reality its all about money or «lebensraum» as Hitler called it. The real authoritarian today is US, supported by EU. Russia, India, most of Africa and many more around the world now say : Stop! Your dream is not my dream. Your reality is not my reality. We will fight for the right to choose our own way, our own news, our own political system, our own culture. The American dream is our nightmare.

[@gvines]

@@ellengran6814 like I said unrealistic

[@mattijussila3007]

That's true. West has been too optimistic.

[@annnee6818]

I would support this but sadly it's like it always is. People don't care enough to inform themselves. We think of ourselves as rational but most of us aren't a lot of the time. We're just horny monkeys easily swayed be feelings/reward. Other people suffering vs you being taxed more highly/having to do without stuff? You know what the answer is. Around the world btw. People are nearly the same everywhere.

[@aligzanduh]

totally incorrect here Professor Stubb. We have no evidence that Putin thought this would be a 48 hour war. You undermine your credibility with these strawman arguments. Putins goal is to have Russian cultural space - in the Russo Ukrainian areas of Ukraine - analyze that - to prevent Ukraine from being the base of hostile operations - analyze that - and to confront Banderism - analyze that

[@ziborgbe]

Yes its true, in ' sovietckij mir ' - heritage of Mongol empire

[@eijahalme5119]

Correction: you have no evidence. Finnish Army Intelligence may have intel that you don't know anything about. Our existence depends on it, so it has always been the question of staying on top of it or disappear into oblivion. We have danced the Russian tightrobe for 800 years and that gives us ways and insights that most people never need to gain. Good for you, not an easy place to be but we are still here.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Hoera! Another right reaction. Stubb didn't undermine his credibility, he destroyed it, assuming he ever had it.

[@emesejohn5367]

Love the Stubb! Keep them coming.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Do you like weeds?

[@sarice6502]

I watch these videos because he's handsome. And also extremely cogent and concise. But sadly I am a shallow person so it's mainly for the first reason

[@ssc00p]

@@abewickham If you could call 189cm tall person an elf though... well, of course you can call him like that and you did, but... anyways carry on...

Well the content is very educating at least. There are a lot of handsome people providing content with little or no value

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Like this individual. This is a respond to your second sentence.

[@marlenealdalki4209]

I surely hope that Sweden will join Finland in the the next steps toward NATO (I never was a supporter of NATO before but there is no other solution now) Finland and A Sweden and Finland have shown a solidarity toward not only Ukraine but each other as well . I'm proud to be of both Swedish and Finnish heritage, more so then I have ever been.

[@galimbertino4939]

This is fear talking. Fear is born from ignorance. Develop your empathy for what you fear than rationalize and finally recognize your true enemy, he is knocking at your door : NATO.

[@jamesross8410]

@@galimbertino4939 Thanks for that stirring piece of propaganda Ivan.

[@ToniTortelini]

@@galimbertino4939 what a bullshit 🐂💩

[@galimbertino4939]

@@jamesross8410 yeah, I know, I am good at it. I should get a salary increase for that but I am paid in dollar... I am getting poorer... I wish I could ask to get paid in ruble 😂

[@holmavik6756]

I’ts on the way! 🇫🇮+🇸🇪=💪

[@NA-lp2re]

Every time I hear Finns speak English the accent is very slight. Must be excellent and early language education.

[@djnorth2020]

There's a term called "rally English" in Finland, rally driver Tommi Mäkinen especially comes to mind. It's not given, Mr. Stubb is proficient in many languages thankfully.

[@Jacckh]

Why is the Russian perspective censored? I think it is worth letting people listen to both sides especially if you are confident that you are right.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Finally a rare common-sense-reaction. Bravo.

[@nowthenzen]

Ralph Nader, a paragon of American liberals, actually made the comment "Just give Moscow the Donbas, it's only 10% of the country." I wonder which 5 US states Nader thinks should be or would be politically possible to be ceded in similar circumstances.

[@RSolimov]

You argue Ukraine can't appease Russia because Russia wants to be appeased and therefore shouldn't be. I'm not convinced by this reasoning, particularly when there are historical (recent), cultural, ethnic and security reasons for concessions to be made. To make concessions is not neccessarilly appeasment.

[@celticmist42]

Thanks Alex, and very much looking forward to your upcoming episode on China. I hope when you cover China, not just what is the mainland China ( CN + HK), but the broader Chinese influence, China's bricks and mortar and 2nd and 3rd generation Chinese living beyond China. The vote about removing Russia's from UN Human Rights Council spoke volumes. As example, all SEA nations except Vietnam abstained, Vietnam voted against removal with China. I live in Malaysia and there is quite an anti western sentiment here whether China ( Pro China) related or Palestine related ( Pro Islam). Even the Philippines with US bases and very strong pro western history is now turning pro China with the likely new presidential team of Marcos/Durerte. So the questions, how do you see that in your regional model moving forward. How can the west win over areas as SEA separate from the US? And finally the move of significant parts of the technical global supply chain back from China to a mix of lower cost alternate countries and to the US & Europe. Will this happen as countries in Europe will want to reduce their dependency on a single country as China, just as they now have with Russia and energy.

[@nickher7562]

if your neibour bring an enemy very close to you and i think russia is right, there will be your enemy military base that is problem for russia to undermind

[@agonhaxha4962]

I've seen the entire series and find it quite informative and easy to understand the entire geopolitical situation. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the impact of Ukraine's war on the Balkans and how it will accelerate the process of Balkan integration into the EU.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

You have seen it, but didn't hear the dis- and misinformations, the poor analisies and the wrong conclusions.

[@MrJamlee88]

This is a fascinating background on the history that is shaping world events. I look forward to learning about your thinking on China. Do you think China is “taking notes” on the Russian war with Ukraine? If so, do you think they are reconsidering any military options to annex Taiwan - or worse - are the learning “what not to do” and preparing more earnestly than before?

[@sikajaperkele]

60% according to poll of 1000 people. I'm sure one can get a different result from different areas.

[@michaeldenny9320]

I was born in the USA. Since I have lived in Asia for the better part of the past 40 years, I know little about Europe and Russian history. I love good teaching. Thank you very much.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Don't make the mistake, to think Stubb's teachings good.

[@pio4362]

Thanks for this video series, Alexander. I think a lot of us would like to see you debunk John Mearsheimer's lectures (preferably you'd be debate him, prof vs prof, but I doubt he'd be up for it)

[@JohnSmith-nz2yq]

What's wrong with him? He was right. He predictes today's conflict many years ago. Did you bother to sit through entire lectures? Btw, John does qualify his views with the doctrine of superpower nations. Neighbours of suoerpowers have to obey. He isnt saying that is ideal. He is simply tellimg you IF YOU ACCEPT THAT , then might is right. Also...just before the middle of this video. He is basically saying the same thing. Realism and idealism. Why, John is American and oldhag and boring?

[@robertvanslooten9475]

I'm longing for a debate between the two, to hear Mearsheimer stab Stubb with his (Stubb's) stupidities.

[@V4zz33]

Recommend Scott Ritter interviews!

[@V4zz33]

@@aramisio2 is it? I had a chat in person with someone who was conscripted in the Soviet era and did partake in military exercises on battalion level / I mean decision making / and have similar thoughts to Scott's. We shall see soon who is right. The west, or the open minded people who don't buy into no propaganda whether it be Western or Russian. I just hope the situation will be solved sooner rather than later.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Me too.

[@wickstorm_records]

Stolt över Stubb 👍

[@janebarnie2084]

Brilliant series, very help to understand the war in Ukraine. Especially as I'm from Adelaide, Australia.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

You don't understand it at all.

[@williamyee3442]

I agree that neutrality is a very uncomfortable status. I liken it to owning and operating a shopping mall renting to tenants your are from your own town and some are from out of town. Yes you own the mall but one tenant wants open a casino, another wants to sell dangerous drugs another sells weapons. You say you are neutral and allow them the set up stores as it is your policy some of old tenants are closing their stores as they say their customers are disappearing. The mall becomes infested with criminal activities, a human trafficking ring starts to run its business through your mall. Now when you try to evict the offending tenants you noticed shop windows are mysteriously breaking and some businesses feel they need to bring in there own private security guards. That is why you don't want to be a neutral state next to Russia. Russia operates the same rules as a criminal mafia and a Russian buffer state becomes a place where the law has less control than mob and their enforcers. Putin will protect his prior investment in eastern Ukraine even if he has to burn down the shopping mall. Those countries that have not experienced neutral status might out understand that it is not the preferred status but sometimes the only practical one left.

[@erikgranered753]

Enjoying your videos. About Finnish and Swedish NATO membership, growing up in Sweden teachers indoctrinated a false equivalence (falsk likvärdighet) that both East and West have their perspectives and when analyzing the world we Swedes had to take both into account. My father would not be happy when I brought such thinking to the dinner table. Now, when I watch the Swedish NATO debate, it triggers me that Sweden is still grappling with this brain washing. I would appreciate your perspective on this. Moving forward, "Finlands sak är vår" will not be just a Swedish motto.

[@Toothnut_Hamsterfolder]

Sorry, I only speak English, and Google translate was unhelpful due to the English character set of my keyboard. Would you be so kind as to translate the motto you said wouldn't only belong to Sweden anymore? Thank you!

[@ntnnot]

​@@Toothnut_Hamsterfolder "The Finnish cause is [also] ours". And I gather in the comment above this is a reference to NATO (in terms of it being no longer only a Swedish motto).

[@vamangcobo7344]

Mr expert how do you know that he thought the war will be over in 48hrs because he did not say that... Your analysis is biased... You say he failed preventing Ukraine in joining NATO AND EU yet EU has made it clear that Ukraine will not be joining EU any time soon.

They intended to decapitate ukrainian leadership and install Yanukovich as puppet. It failed.

[@lembergnative7731]

uhm, EU is giving Ukraine fast track and Ukraine just submitted its questionnaire. Might want to catch up.

[@philthompson8574]

This lecture should be entitled 'Completely misunderstanding the war in Ukraine'

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Finaly a common sense reaction.

[@bobbymurphy4384]

Nothing wrong with geriatric KZbinrs 💜

[@rockflowerful]

Naturally there is much written, spoken about this Russian war, most of us have not had years of study in global politics. Your explanations are so refreshing, clear precise. While being aware that there are always the…..things we do not know,those things we do not know we do not know etc. I am so grateful that you take the time to do these videos and cut through the waffle for us. I do watch news channels from various countries that have broadcasts in English, in my attempt to get a balanced view but your videos are the icing on the cake……so thank you so much. I have a historical question that puzzles me,. I recognize that Russia has always had great thinkers, great artists of all kinds but to the casual observer. It seems that their governance has always been somewhat brutal, always paranoid,am I being fair? I think we also recognize that even now, there are those reasonable Russian people that just want to live their lives without imposing or cheating others. Even now we have to admire the very brave Russians that protest at great risk to themselves. Politicians everywhere are what they are, they all come with their agendas but most European countries went through the process of building networks of laws to control this somewhat, a few hundred years ago? Why did this not happen in Russia? Or am I wrong in thinking this way. No doubt now, the basic Russian person in the street, they must feel most of the international world hates them. This is not true, we may wonder why they accept a corrupt, brutal government but there is compassion for the general population. Not for the government however. Is my confusion with Russia, my impression because of woolly Western thinking, that everyone in the world wants the same things. Although all countries evolve their particular versions of democracy…..it irritates me when I hear American, stating they are the greatest democracy. No the are the best democracy for America, other democracies can be a little different because a democracy always has to tuned for the community it serves. . So why does this not happen in Russia? Why does the brutal authoritarianism prevail?

[@Laenthal]

there's only one logical answer to that - it's a false narrative accepting demonization as truth.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

You're indoctrinated by constant western anti Russia propaganda.

[@DanielForno]

🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@patrickmoriarty7273]

Best Lectures on World Geopolitics yet ~ keep them coming Alexander 👍

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Are you able to look further than your nose?

[@MarioMuilwijk]

Do you think Putin will go down in the history books as “Putin the insane”?

[@robertvanslooten9475]

No, I suppose as Putin the greatest. Sorry, as great as Muhamed Ali.

[@savomilosevic5929]

well, well, well... what wrong prediction.... 148. days after start of military operation, and there is no stoping for Russia. And one question.... What is world? only us and eu??? There is no China, Africa, Iran, South America in this world??? Interesting...

[@kimani754]

Who told you West is the whole world Mr glasses. India and china alone has a population of around 3 billion that is a ready market for Russian products.

[@lembergnative7731]

what products? Energy? And where did India and China will get the money to buy the energy if they don't deal with the west? And the West is getting pretty fed up with both India and China

[@pittan86]

Väldigt, väldigt bra. Tack och kiitos!

[@nadialii3305]

This man speaks a lot, many wonderful words, excellent English... Has he been to Russia? I think no! He doesn't know history! Everything he says is not true!

[@winfrank1]

For Finland and Sweden to join NATO it's a bit to late why didn't they join in 1950s . For them to join in the middle of a conflict is just suicide behaviour. In the first 1mim of the video he talks about them joining NATO this is crazy . IMO the war in Ukraine is a Bankers war and who want to fight for BANKS .

[@ntnnot]

Should've joined already before, in the 1990s. But now with Russia entangled in and preoccupied with the conflict with Ukraine, another good moment to join.

[@hocksooncheong711]

Prof Alexander what are EU views on It’s not what EU thinks and believe It’s what Putin’s Russia thinks that matter Now that Ukrainian are the biggest victim in this avoidable war what’s EU responsibility towards the Ukrainian people and Ukraine ? it’s after all if EU didn’t move NATO military expansionism into Ukraine this war would Not have happened.

[@SerendipityChild]

Geriatric and old youtuber? .. No, I don't reckon you are a KZbinr. You're a lecturer, an expert, academic, a talented communicator using this platform - and, frankly, improving the average quality in doing so

[@whiteknuckles]

Whether it is the war in Ulraine, or China, or Russia, or Europe, or Africa, the perspective is Eurocentric, not objective at all. The speaker may have a mountain of knowledge on the subject, but nothing new or inspiring. Same old same old.

[@dragon2695]

What about your intellectual honesty seeing that you know well about Chinese history, Russian history. How many times do you have to make compromise with yourself? Did you ask yourself WHY do you have to do that?

[@oldsoul1930]

As long as the world continues to buy Russian energy, it will not be isolated. Russia has succeeded in sending a message to the West that it is not afraid to defend its interests

[@ingridlindquist4895]

I don't believe the west wants to steal anything from Russia. To do business there with IKEA and so on was good for businessmen (but bad problems with corruption). That opportunity to do business there is gone now. Russia is now a closed market for the west.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

I suppose that you mean Russia's interests. In that case I'm glad to hear one of the very vieuw common - sense - reactions. Thank you.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Stubb, concerning the achievements of Putin's goals. Wait a bit longer and see.

[@mrhitisnumberone]

What are you talking about when you list Russian goals? Only the last 1 has any true possibility of being real and more importantly the others are very unrealistic.

[@fortifrancesco53]

In this moment (end of may 2022) I can see that in Europe is slowing down in speed, unit and determination. Do you agree?

[@wesselwolmarans5537]

Your nation handed out bloody noses to Stalin history records.Salute….!

[@nickames3808]

Yes, this man does an Excellent job !

[@robertvanslooten9475]

In spreading misinformation and disinformation.

[@kenanklovitch8117]

Wow, I am so glad to tune into your videos Sir!

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Another poor guy.

[@Brommear]

The African Union and Mercosur are not exactly shining examples of regional co-operation.

[@savasveli4814]

Is Turkey likely to be attacked now they have blocked the Bosphorus to none black sea based warships?

[@louisecorchevolle9241]

only the small nations are transnational Citizen of an old and big I think France am national in Europe as De Gaulle wanted Europe

[@robertvanslooten9475]

I'm afraid your questions are too difficult for Stubb to answer.

[@star-gs9kh]

Lol nonsense

[@workingproleinc.676]

TLDR: The Westoids got to cocky and now the UKIS pay the price

[@pablojacob769]

Are u really sure, a country that is having borders with many countries, can be isolated?

[@robertvanslooten9475]

I think so. He's the president, I'm in 2024 now, of Finland. May the gods help Finland.

[@Illkacirma]

Thank you Mr. Stubb!

[@robertvanslooten9475]

For the nonsensehe uttered?

[@gabrieladorohoi7018]

A real pleasure to watch the series of exhibitions.

[@Leon__ID]

Moreover, the association agreement provided for the military integration of Ukraine with the countries that are members of NATO. Just for comparison - remember what the Australian authorities said when they learned about the conclusion of an agreement on military cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands. China's construction of a military base in the Solomon Islands will be a "red line" for Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, ABC reports. Quote: "We will not have Chinese naval bases in our region on our doorstep. This is a common concern of Australia and regional governments, especially places like Fiji and Papua New Guinea," the prime minister said. At the same time, Morrison noted that the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogaware, assured him that there were no plans to build a base. "So he clearly shares our red line," the Australian politician said. Aha! That is, the countries of the "global West" may have "red lines" and they have the right to demand military neutrality and non-deployment of military bases in adjacent territories. And when Russia talks about the threat to its national security when drawing Ukraine into the Western alliance, this is "the impudence of obnoxious Russians", which "against the RULES!" The world will continue to fall into the same story over and over again, until the overarchingly agreed RULES (within the only existing UN structure) are respected for ALL, not just for a select few. The West TELLS the whole world HOW to behave, but for some reason does not SHOW it by its own example.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Bravo!

[@SuperTonyony]

Psychopaths are a threat to everything that is TRULY human.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Which psychopats do you mean in this case? Committing the most crual atrocities is also truly human.

[@dthomas99]

Joining EU is the answer for Ukr? Then why Brexit? Appeasement for Peace...isnt that how Finland establish peace with Russia & became neutral? US is moving "heaven & earth" for Ukr war to continue, yet did nothing to prevent it or now stop the war. Ukr is played as a pawn? First lets focus on stopping the war & suffering.

[@thehaberdash]

Us tried to stoo war. Rabbid dog Pootin didnt listen

[@waynelarsen2620]

Putin is not going away any time soon, even after the Ukranian theatre 'special operation' is over. The Russian military seems inept. Would NATO consider it wise to remove Putin from power militarily immediatly after the Ukranian 'special operation' is concluded when the Russian military is further weakened due to further losses on the Ukranian front? Would a NATO offensive through Poland to Belarus be the answer, or would Japan need to get involved in the Kuril Islands as well? If Japan attacks Russia as well, would this provoke China in your opinion?

[@robertvanslooten9475]

You're putting wrong questions.

[@Leon__ID]

My second commentary. All the same thing. Speaking about some "Europeisation" of Ukraine. So 'The Europeisation', in a mere minimum, why after the Association agreement between EU & Ukraine was signed, the annual quotas on sales of goods and commodities into the EU was so tiny, that were usually fully used in the first two months of the year? Is that an integration? On the same time the Ukraine market became opened to all of western corporations. The goods, wich was produced in Ukraine partly have been pushed onto the Russia's market intensifying competition with Russian goods and taking away their market share. Is that a win-win relations? More like a world tradewars.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Now Ukraine is being americanised.

[@николай-г7ю3з]

The only reason for war in Ukraine is Putins imperialism. He was born in soviet union and always saw Ukrain as a part of Russia which just temporary independent. The same is Belarus. But he was successful with Belarus where he has with pawn Lukashenko. Do you know that most of Belarusian speak Russian while at the same time they have their own language? So Putin is sutisfied with this situation and he is not sutisfied with Ukrain which started to have its own identification. They had it before but under soviet union it was difficult to see and when Ukrain got independent they decided to have its own path. If you didnt know on one of nato-Russian meeting in 2008 Putin said that he does not even think that Ukrain is a government. Until 2014 Putin had a pawn president in Ukrain who ran away when protests started. Thats when everything went against putin will. He took away crimea which was quite lucky and started a war in the east of Ukraine. He used some of his military and special services to create DNR and LNR republics in the east. He convined people on those territories, ukraine is now ruled by naziz and nato pawns. He gave them weapons and mercenaries. Thats when the little war in Ukraine started. Putin thought in probably would help somehow to change power in Ukraine or to change its course. But it didnt help much. It was like a wound in Ukrain body that he always poked with a stick hoping it would help. You would ask, why putin didnt attack Ukrain in 2014 like in 2022,he had a lot of chances back then considering Ukrain was weak. He was not that confident back then and Russia was too dependent on europe with payment systems and technologies. The ckick happened when Zelensky came. Zelensky froze the conflict in the east and wanted to make Ukraine more rich and independent. The time was not on Russian side. Putin will die of oldness and no garantee next president will be like putin. I would even say it is garanteed next president would be different because putin crazy mind is only one. So he decided to act now. All this bullshit about denazification and nato membership is an excuse mostly. Believe me. Ukrain must belong to putin, it is his property. Putin is a dictator. You will ask me how i know that, well, i am from Russia. But i dont want to say i know everything but maybe i could help someone to undestand the situation better with my comment.

[@juanquintana6070]

You said the truth, high and clear. Putin is in his final seasons, and want Ukraine into mother Russia. There is no other excuse. You are a brave Russian to say the truth. I hope Russians soon got this guy out, and start a new age of peace with the world. Thank you.

[@rafaelmiranda4774]

I did not have a clear understanding what Finlandization meant for the brave Finns people that hold the line against the USSR in the winter war. Actually before hearing you, I thought it was a sort of less bad solution for Ukraine. Now I understand it is not. I just hope Ukraine continue as a free country after this cruel and unjustified aggression.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

An unjustified agression? Yes, seen from a juridical perspective. Understandable, if seen from an emotional perspective.

[@Makkez]

I don't understand, why everyone agree that Putin wanted to win in one day, or at least in one week? Of course, he wouldn't mind such an outcome at all, but it would be too rash to hope for it. Russia already has experience of the war in Syria, and there Russia has used similar tactics, as in Ukraine - to move slowly but confidently, to take important points one by one, destroying the logistics of the enemy, not allowing him to move freely.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Right.

[@vancouverbarista]

Would Russia cutting off Gas and/or oil to EU hurt Russia or EU more? This seems unclear, obviously painful for both and undesirable for the word economy

[@robertvanslooten9475]

You will get the answer on your question 2 years later.

[@tlmoller]

Nice stuff. High quality ans analytic. I would expect Russia in some way will “give up” seen from the original plan. But will make it look like some kind of “internal success”. Russia will learn from this and build up military capabilities and try again in some year. And thry to combine with taking the Baltics…

[@robertvanslooten9475]

High quality analytic? Sad do you mean. If, in your comment, you replace Russia for America, a agree with you.

[@biscaynediver]

I wish I could believe you were right in believing Russia will be isolated from E.U. economies. The Austrians, Swiss, and most importantly, the Germans, have made clear they value their own interest in access to Russian natural resources more than they value isolating Russia. Turkey will never shut Russia out, rather they will want to maintain their place as a middle-man. For travel, for transit of resources, etc. Turkey also will want to maintain its energy source. Hungary absolutely will not isolate Russia. Doubtful that Serbia will either. I doubt the U.S. or E.U. have the stomach for secondary sanctions, which are absolutely necessary in order for primary sanctions to have real bite.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Your wish will not be fulfilled.

[@robertjorn2782]

Finland had Alexander Stubb... Sweden had "Sevtsaren" (the welder)....ad rather stuck to the finish...

[@robertvanslooten9475]

And America Biden.😢

[@mbankslje0nk]

I was unaware of the history of the relationship between Finland and Russia. Thank you for your series. As an American I found it to be very informative!

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Take care! Stubb's inflrmation is only from one side. I don't give a shit of his informations. In an other video I heard him say, that the Finnish winterwar against Russia was from 1939 till 1944. In fact it was from 30 november 1939 till 13 march 1940. I have heard him saying a lot of lies, desinformation and misinformation. It's incomprihensable to me, that he held so many important political positions and is now the president of Finland.

[@suukinsin6771]

Trump comes back n desolves nato...🤣

[@elspoocho4637]

nato and the transatlantic alliance is the same, dude

[@popelgruner595]

Well Selensky has done a great job in affronting the German President today. I hope he is aware that he is offending the most powerful country in EUrope and that this will have consequences. Given his this outrageous ambassador in Berlin and the way he is insulting the German government Ukraine should understand that both the NATO and the EU option are off the table.

[@CHarlotte-ro4yi]

As a German I don’t see Selensky‘s reaction as an affront to Germany but merely the SPD, and rightly so! It cannot be the case that the, as you say yourself, most powerful country in Europe is not sanctioning Russian oil or gas on the one hand (hence stop sending money to the aggressor) while refusing to send heavy weapons to Ukraine. The German government and society needs to come to terms with its power and the resulting responsibility. This war is not a regional thing but it is a threat to European security and democracy and that very much so includes Germany!

[@popelgruner595]

@@CHarlotte-ro4yi Liebe Charlotte, dann sollten die Ukrainer aufhören uns Deutsche zu beleidigen, denn die Äußerungen von Herrn Melnyk sind unerträglich und eine bodenlose Frechheit. Als Botschafter sollte ich mich nicht so im Ton vergreifen, wenn ich nicht zur persona non grata werden möchte. Und zur Absage des Steinmeier-Besuchs: Diplomaten hätten das in aller Stille regeln sollen. Jetzt ist diese Beleidigung öffentlich geworden. Die Ukraine will unser Geld und unsere Waffen und wir Deutschen sollen uns dafür auf offener Bühne beleidigen und demütigen lassen? Nein, so funktioniert das nicht. Die Ukraine macht sich einen mächtigen Gegner in der EU und in der NATO.

[@lembergnative7731]

well, it's a good thing you don't run the EU or NATO then. Cut Zelensky some slack - I wonder how you would feel after witnessing hundreds of rotting corpses of tortured and murdered civilians, listening to the stories of women and children being gang-raped, and watching the infrastructure of your country disintegrate, threatening a massive humanitarian disaster.

[@bennybenny43]

Strange... 2 answers/comments but I cannot see them. I was shocked when I Saw what Mr.Z did to the German president. But do you think he would have dared doing this if it was your bundeskanzler ? How did the public opinion react in Germany ?

[@CHarlotte-ro4yi]

@@bennybenny43 ​ I think that is the point, Kyiv is hoping for the chancellor to finally visit because that would require him to carry some sort of "present" along with him, you know an embargo (or any other policy that would diminish the money Germany pays for Russian gas and oil) and more support of the Ukrainian military with weaponry. The German president by design carries no political power but only representative power. If he would have visited it would have spared Scholz from the (immediate) responsibility to do the very same and hence given him more time to kick the can down the road on pressing foreign policy issues. But the issue itself is more complex. Germany is among the biggest producers and exporters of arms and hence could in theory easily export more arms to Ukraine on the one hand. On the other hand Germany's own military is in shambles (to phrase it drastically), over decades investment in the Bundeswehr has been ineffective, too little, too uncoordinated and hence our military is dysfunctional in terms of equipment, not quite what you want in a situation where European security is threatened by a military and nuclear power like Russia. Since Ukraine needs weaponry ready to use (which is not simply in stock at any producer) is usually taken from the domestic military's stock which is then restocked by the arms manufacturer, but since the German military has been 'kaputt gespart' (broken because of not putting enough monetary resources into it) over the years, there is simply not much or nothing left in the Bundeswehr stocks that could go to Ukraine, it's disastrous. However, there is weaponry that GER could in fact export, that is sorted out arms that are not in use anymore and not possessed by the Bundeswehr but given back to the stock of arm's producers for repair and mending. These arms and tanks would be a good choice since they use less complicated in their construction so easier to repair and use than new high tech stuff which is actually advantageous in the current situation for Ukraine. But, the chancellor doesn't even mention these... Which brings me to a profound problem of the German government which lacks honest communication skills, the 'Kanzleramt' in particular. We are loosing our stand as a force for good and as a leader within the European Union and the World because we are the ones to adjust our (foreign) policyto the direction of our European partners' at last resort instead of leading it. German society is torn between all these issues. As you can tell from my comment I am very much in favour of sending more heavy weaponry to Ukraine and I wasn't as offended by Zelensky's decision as were other parts of the German public. What one has to understand about Germany is this very unique ideology of 'national pacifism' that is a result of our own history. We can all agree on that war is the worst possible thing and large parts of German society (including me for a long time) were suspicious of their own military and were actually favouring a decrease in military spending. It's this idea that a strong Bundeswehr could make us look aggressive to others and doesn't serve us anyway in times of peace which we were convinced would be infinite because we live in an age where 'we make trade not war' which also kind of explains why Germany as an economic powerhouse maintains economically friendly relations to countries like Russia and China. That this comes at the expense of a weakened security policy is a cruel awakening for large parts of German society. We simply should have listened to the Eastern Europeans and the Balts who have been telling us this very thing for years, but Germans as individuals tend to be little "Besserwisser" (better-knowers which is the German term for Know-it-alls) and hence why should our government be any different. I hope this helps to understand the German position a bit better, however there are so many more layers to the issue and I don't claim to be an expert on any of the things mentioned above. I am only an interested observer of politics who tried to compile the information she got by following the debates in and outside Germany. So feel free to correct or fill the gaps I left.

[@mannydib]

Great content. Very informative. Alexander Stubb is a pleasure to listen to.

[@robertvanslooten9475]

Not for people with a common sense.

[@paulwilson8061]

Why so many enthusiastic comments? This man does not say anything amazing. He voices a typical pro-American point of view. Serbs, for example, aspire to the EU, but not to NATO and the Serbs have no problem with Russia. The same can be said about Armenia, Georgia, etc. So the video is nothing.

[@artmnk]

You need to make an episode on Ukraine.

[@Zach-cu4sd]

Which war? What about the other war?

[@friendlycanadian1756]

are you banned from Russia