Stubb described the current global order as fragmented and violent, with more wars underway than at any time since the Second World War. He said the UN was failing too often in its role as a forum for mediation and had remained tied to structures dating back to 1945.
Alexander Stubb , President of Finland, urged sweeping reform of the United Nations during a speech to the General Assembly, calling for the removal of veto rights from permanent members of the Security Council.
“No state should hold a veto,” he told delegates. “If a member of the Security Council violates the UN Charter, it should lose its voting rights temporarily.”
He said international relations must be based on three pillars: values, interests and power. Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights and the prohibition of the use of force should be considered non-negotiable.
Stubb accused Russia of waging an illegal war in Ukraine and said Israel had no right to breach international law in the Palestinian territories. He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
In remarks to Finnish media after the speech, Stubb responded to a question about whether Finland would shoot down Russian aircraft or drones violating its airspace. He said Finland always defends its skies and follows a clear protocol. “Finland is well prepared,” he said.
Stubb welcomed US President Donald Trump’s recent statements suggesting NATO should shoot down Russian planes if they violate allied airspace. He described Trump’s message to President Vladimir Putin as strong. “I do not want to overinterpret, but perhaps there is impatience with the process and particularly with Putin’s actions,” Stubb said.
Trump’s comments at the UN earlier on Wednesday marked a sharp turn, with the US leader saying Ukraine should recover all its territory and describing Russia as a “paper tiger”. Stubb said the statement was “a message in the right direction” and expressed hope it would push Moscow towards negotiations.
On European coordination, Stubb said he and other leaders were working on a step-by-step model of pressure against Russia, including security guarantees for Ukraine, an end to purchases of Russian oil and gas, and sanctions on states continuing such trade.
The Finnish president also highlighted growing influence from Africa, Asia and Latin America in shaping global governance. He closed his address by quoting Nelson Mandela, prompting world leaders to learn from history while making decisions that shape the future.
Tal-Carmi on September 25th, 2025 at 12:57 UTC »
The UN is basically a symbolic framework rather than an enforcement body. Its power relies almost entirely on the political will of its member states, and if key players disagree, nothing happens. Security Council vetoes, lack of funding, or divergent national interests mean resolutions are often ignored.
It presumes shared values and incentives, respect for human rights, international law, and global norms, but in reality, countries act based on survival, ideology, or power politics. That makes consistent enforcement nearly impossible.
In practice, the UN is useful mostly for coordination, signaling, and legitimacy, not coercion. If the major powers aren’t aligned, it can’t compel action, and it often ends up as a platform for debate and posturing.
d1andonly on September 25th, 2025 at 12:48 UTC »
And rename it to League of Nations 2.0?
CryptoCryBubba on September 25th, 2025 at 11:57 UTC »
“No state should hold a veto,” he told delegates. “If a member of the Security Council violates the UN Charter, it should lose its voting rights temporarily.”
👏👏👏👏
A true statesman.