This podcast is supported in part by the New England Innovation Academy in Marlborough, Massachusetts,

where today's students become tomorrow's innovators by discovering their passions and purpose while preparing for what's next,

reimagining education with a future-focused curriculum, entrepreneurial mindset, and real-world application,

currently enrolling grade 6 through 12, day and boarding students.

Learn more at NEI Academy.org.

Now to our interview with Finland's president, Alexander Stube.

We spoke this morning in New York during this week's UN General Assembly.

As the leader of a NATO nation that shares an 830-mile border with Russia,

Stub has been a key voice in Europe's response to the war in Ukraine. In a speech to the UN Security Council this past week,

he welcomed what he called an apparent shift in tone on Ukraine and Russia by President Trump.

I asked him, given the contradictory statements by the Trump administration on the war,

including the claim that Ukraine will be able to win back territory now under Russian control,

why he believes President Trump's latest words carry weight.

My first observation is that never underestimate the capacity of President Trump to negotiate a deal.

And I think peace mediation is always incremental. You go step by step. Sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back.

I think what I've found in this eight months is that we've had a process. First, there's been

a lot of carrot. So you try to get convinced Putin to come to the negotiating table.

And when you see that the carrot is not necessarily working, you put down a stick.

And what we saw on Tuesday was a big statement from the president.

Do you think Vladimir Putin perceives Donald Trump to be strong?

I mean, there are dispassionate observers who say that President Trump

has avoided holding Vladimir Putin accountable.

...