‘Yes, Without The Americans’: Finnish President Says Europe Can Defend Itself, Then Clarifies

Last Updated:January 22, 2026, 02:14 IST

Short clips of the Finnish President’s remarks spread online, with supporters and critics divided over whether his comments were taken out of context.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb looks on during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. (IMAGE: AFP)

Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s remarks on whether Europe can defend itself without the United States sparked debate at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, after short clips of his comments circulated widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions online.

Stubb made the comments during a high-profile WEF panel moderated by journalist Sarah Kelly, host of Deutsche Welle’s political interview programme Conflict Zone. The panel was attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Polish President Andrzej Nawrocki.

Stubb opened his response by directly addressing the panel’s core question.

“First is a direct answer to the question of this panel: Can Europe defend itself? My answer is unequivocally yes," he said. “Without the Americans? Without the Americans."

In the same response, however, Stubb immediately qualified the statement, arguing that while European militaries have significant capabilities, they continue to rely on the United States for critical elements, especially in prolonged, high-intensity conflicts.

“How would you do it at scale and at duration and at intensity, with an assumption that the United States would cut off completely any kind of work?" he asked.

Pointing to Finland’s defence posture, Stubb said the country operates a system of conscription, with around one million people trained, and can mobilise 280,000 soldiers within weeks. He cited Finland’s air force and artillery strength, including 62 F-18 fighter jets, 64 newly acquired F-35s, and what he described as the largest artillery capability in Europe alongside Poland.

Stubb also acknowledged that Finnish fighter jets do not operate independently of the United States.

“Do they fly without Americans? No, they don’t," he said. “But do we trust that they will continue to fly because it’s in the interest of America to do so? Yes."

He added that Finland’s defence planning was shaped by security concerns in its immediate neighbourhood.

“So the bottom line is that if you ask me the question, can the Finnish military defend itself against a Russian attack, the whole defence posture of the way in which you do it, yes, we can," Stubb said.

Later in the discussion, Kelly referred back to the earlier phrasing and noted that Stubb had said Europe could defend itself without the Americans. Stubb pushed back, arguing that the remark had been taken out of context.

“Well, that’s not an exact quote," he said, smiling. “I love journalists."

Rutte later made a light but pointed remark underscoring the broader debate over Europe’s defence preparedness.

“Alex, I love you, but you are not producing enough for your defence," Rutte said to Stubb, according to a clip shared by NEXTA on social media.

Short video clips of Stubb’s opening line were widely shared online soon after, with some users portraying the remarks as evidence that Europe could stand militarily without US support, while others pointed to his broader explanation and accused commentators of ignoring the qualifications he had laid out in the same answer.

The exchange comes at a sensitive moment for NATO, as questions over transatlantic defence commitments have resurfaced following comments by US President Donald Trump casting doubt on whether allies would come to Washington’s aid if it were attacked.

Earlier on Wednesday in Davos, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sought to reassure Trump, saying the alliance would “absolutely" defend the United States if it came under attack, citing NATO’s response after the September 11 attacks.

Trump has also recently revived demands that the US take control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark, adding to European debate over defence autonomy and continued reliance on American military support.

News world ‘Yes, Without The Americans’: Finnish President Says Europe Can Defend Itself, Then Clarifies

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