Europe Needs to Have the Capability to Defend Itself from the US, Says Finnish President

Europe can defend itself without the US, stated Finnish President Alexander Stubb. "Can Europe defend itself? My answer is a definitive yes... without the Americans," Stubb said during a discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

As examples, the Finnish president pointed to Finland's conscription, the capability to mobilize 280,000 soldiers "within weeks," artillery, F-18 fighter jets, and ordered F-35s, among other weapons.

"Your next question is whether the fighter jets fly without the Americans. No. But do we believe they will continue to fly because it is in America's interest? Yes," Stubb added. He also expressed doubts about whether Europe needs the capability to defend itself from the US.