The president of Finland is urging President Trump to impose a deadline on Vladimir Putin of April 20 to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine.

In a conversation with Fox News in London after meeting Trump in Florida over the weekend, Alexander Stubb commended Trump’s negotiation skills, stating that Trump is “perhaps the sole individual capable of mediating peace worldwide.”

Stubb said Putin “respects, and in many ways fears, Donald Trump.”

Finland, which borders Russia along an 800-mile stretch, shifted its stance of neutrality two years back by joining NATO, triggered by the conflict in Ukraine.

Stubb holds the view that Ukraine should eventually become a member of the military alliance, which contrasts with the stance of the Trump administration.

Stubb sat down for an interview with Fox News after meeting President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. (Alex Hogan/Fox News)

Following talks and a round of golf with Trump in Florida, the Finnish leader said European leaders are heeding American complaints that Europe does not spend enough money on defense, relying instead on the United States.

“Europe needs to take more responsibility for its own security, more responsibility for its own defense,” Stubb said. “I think we’re doing exactly that.”

He described the U.S.-European relationship as “in a transition,” but insisted: “We’re allies.

“Just because ideologically there are differences at times between Europeans and Americans doesn’t mean that we’re going to sever or divorce.”