US to acquire icebreakers from Finland amid Arctic security concerns: Trump

ISTANBUL

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the US plans to buy "badly needed" icebreakers from Finland amid Arctic security concerns.

The announcement came after Trump met Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the Trump International Golf Club in the US state of Florida.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the two leaders "look forward" to strengthening the partnership between the US and Finland.

He said the partnership includes the purchase and development of a large number of “badly needed” icebreakers for the US, which he suggested would deliver “Peace and International Security for our Countries, and the World.”

Finland's presidential office confirmed that the leaders discussed relations and security issues, including Ukraine, during their meeting.

The announcement follows July 2024 commitments by the US, Canada and Finland to jointly strengthen their icebreaker fleets to bolster their power in the Arctic amid perceived threats from Russian and Chinese presence in the region.

Building new ships is seen as critical to maintaining operational capabilities in polar regions.

The US has two aging icebreakers in operation compared to Russia's 36, according to US Coast Guard data.

Russia currently has the world’s largest icebreaker fleet, and new vessels, including the 120-megawatt “Rossiya,” are under construction.

The plan advances Trump's Arctic strategy, which includes his repeated calls to acquire Greenland for its strategic position.