Finnish president answers 8-year-old’s question on why powerful countries start wars

Finnish President Alexander Stubb responded to public questions during a live broadcast on national broadcaster Yle on Sunday, including a call from an 8-year-old boy asking why large nations initiate wars.

Eelis Karjalainen, an 8-year-old from Rovaniemi, phoned Stubb to ask why powerful countries often begin conflicts. The president replied that such actions stem from “power politics,” where larger nations believe they have the right to act against smaller ones. Stubb acknowledged that major powers sometimes behave this way, calling it regrettable.

At the end of the call, Stubb encouraged Karjalainen to study international politics in the future. The boy mentioned he listens to news radio while playing, keeping one ear on current events.

Stubb, who is scheduled to visit Rovaniemi next week, invited Karjalainen to greet him at Lordi Square. The boy declined, explaining he was currently in Germany.