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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 137 (from laksa115)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa137.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/","crawl_time":1776428170,"first_indexed_time":1773761590,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"eu,politico!www,\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/ s443","src_root_hash":"15364017793929463337","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Finland’s Stubb: Brexit was like sawing off your leg for no reason – POLITICO","meta_descriptions":["The Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"News\nTrade\nThe Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order. \nAI generated Text-to-speech\nCopy Link\nCopied\nShare via email\nShare on X\nShare on WhatsApp\nShare on LinkedIn\nFree article usually reserved for subscribers\n“We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Alexander Stubb said. | Pool photo by Thomas Padilla via AFP\/Getty Images\nMarch 17, 2026\n4:30 pm CET\nBy\nTim Ross\nLONDON — Brexit was “a colossal mistake” and the U.K. should rejoin the European Union, Alexander Stubb said Tuesday.  \nBut instead of waiting for that to happen, London and Brussels should work together now to deepen their relationship in key areas such as defense and intelligence sharing, trade and access to the single market, and technology and innovation, the Finnish president said. \nSpeaking at the Chatham House think tank during a visit to London, he said the chaotic state of the world in which the old, rules-based order no longer holds should prompt a radical rethink of the EU-U.K. relationship. \n“I think Brexit was a colossal mistake,” said former London student Stubb, who has a British wife and children with dual nationality. “I am too diplomatic to express exactly what I think about those who promoted Brexit during the campaign, and those who still say that Brexit is a good thing … But I do think it's not only shooting yourself in the foot, but it's like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it.” \nStubb said he recognized that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not aim to rejoin the EU but argued that Brits and Europeans should be “pragmatic” now and show flexibility on both sides. \nNegotiations have been ongoing over moves toward deepening the partnership between London and Brussels since Starmer’s Labour won power in 2024, but progress has been held back over disagreements over youth mobility programs,\nstudent fees\nand how much the U.K. should pay to take part in an arms investment package. \n“We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Stubb said. “I should probably express my view that it took you seven years to negotiate yourselves out of the EU, it will take you seven years to regret it, and then seven years to come back in. I hope.”\nStubb said British membership of the EU’s customs union should be possible, alongside participation in the single market. Red lines during years of Brexit negotiations meant the U.K. left both structures five years ago, under a bare bones deal that Boris Johnson negotiated. \n“We need to be super pragmatic,” he said, instead of Europeans thinking they should “continue to punish” the U.K. for leaving the bloc. “Get out of the mindset that the U.K. should not be a part of the customs union, or the U.K. should not be a part of the internal market. Think about a flexible way of dealing with it.”\nMore broadly, Stubb suggested the EU should reform its structures to allow more flexibility in the way member countries work together, and work with states that are not formal members of the EU. \nHe said Iceland is renewing its interest in becoming a member, he’d like to see Norway join the bloc, and he joked to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada should also take a look at EU membership when the pair went running together on Tuesday morning in London. ","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=394368290733607&ev=PageView&noscript=1)\n\n[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/#main)\n\nAdvertisement\n\nMenu\n\nEdition: Europe\n\n- [Europe](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/?no-geo-redirect)\n- [UK](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/uk\/)\n- [France](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/france-politics-news\/)\n- [Germany](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/german-politics\/)\n- [US](https:\/\/www.politico.com\/)\n\n- - 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[News](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/news)\n2. [Trade](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/section\/trade\/)\n\n# Finland’s Stubb: Brexit was like sawing off your leg for no reason\nThe Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order.\n\nListen\n\nAI generated Text-to-speech\n\n- [Copy Link Copied](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/ \"Copy Link\")\n- [Share via email](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#06396469627f3b6e727276752335472334402334407171712876696a6f726f65692863732334406774726f656a63233440606f686a6768622b676a637e67686263742b75727364642b6474637e6f722b736d2b6373233440202536353e3d7573646c6365723b406f686a676862234334233e36233f3f7523343655727364642335472334364474637e6f722334367167752334366a6f6d632334367567716f68612334366960602334367f6973742334366a63612334366069742334366869233436746367756968 \"EMail\")\n- [Share on X](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/&text=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason \"X\")\n- [Share on WhatsApp](https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason%20https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/ \"WhatsApp\")\n- [Share on LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/&title=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason&summary=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason&source=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/ \"Linkedin\")\n\n[Free article usually reserved for subscribers](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/pro\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/)\n\n![FRANCE-FINLAND-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1160,height=774,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/17\/GettyImages-2262654473-scaled.jpg)\n\n“We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Alexander Stubb said. \\| Pool photo by Thomas Padilla via AFP\/Getty Images\n\nMarch 17, 2026   4:30 pm CET\n\nBy  [Tim Ross](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/author\/tim-ross\/)\n\nLONDON — Brexit was “a colossal mistake” and the U.K. should rejoin the European Union, Alexander Stubb said Tuesday.\n\nBut instead of waiting for that to happen, London and Brussels should work together now to deepen their relationship in key areas such as defense and intelligence sharing, trade and access to the single market, and technology and innovation, the Finnish president said.\n\nSpeaking at the Chatham House think tank during a visit to London, he said the chaotic state of the world in which the old, rules-based order no longer holds should prompt a radical rethink of the EU-U.K. relationship.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n“I think Brexit was a colossal mistake,” said former London student Stubb, who has a British wife and children with dual nationality. “I am too diplomatic to express exactly what I think about those who promoted Brexit during the campaign, and those who still say that Brexit is a good thing … But I do think it's not only shooting yourself in the foot, but it's like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it.”\n\nStubb said he recognized that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not aim to rejoin the EU but argued that Brits and Europeans should be “pragmatic” now and show flexibility on both sides.\n\nNegotiations have been ongoing over moves toward deepening the partnership between London and Brussels since Starmer’s Labour won power in 2024, but progress has been held back over disagreements over youth mobility programs, [student fees](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/eu-insists-tuition-fees-cut-price-brexit-reset\/) and how much the U.K. should pay to take part in an arms investment package.\n\n“We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Stubb said. “I should probably express my view that it took you seven years to negotiate yourselves out of the EU, it will take you seven years to regret it, and then seven years to come back in. I hope.”\n\nStubb said British membership of the EU’s customs union should be possible, alongside participation in the single market. Red lines during years of Brexit negotiations meant the U.K. left both structures five years ago, under a bare bones deal that Boris Johnson negotiated.\n\n“We need to be super pragmatic,” he said, instead of Europeans thinking they should “continue to punish” the U.K. for leaving the bloc. “Get out of the mindset that the U.K. should not be a part of the customs union, or the U.K. should not be a part of the internal market. Think about a flexible way of dealing with it.”\n\nMore broadly, Stubb suggested the EU should reform its structures to allow more flexibility in the way member countries work together, and work with states that are not formal members of the EU.\n\nHe said Iceland is renewing its interest in becoming a member, he’d like to see Norway join the bloc, and he joked to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada should also take a look at EU membership when the pair went running together on Tuesday morning in London.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nRelated Tags\n\n[Brexit](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/brexit\/)   [Customs Union](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/customs-union\/)   [Defense](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/defense\/)   [Innovation](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/innovation\/)   [Intelligence](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/intelligence\/)   [Investment](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/investment\/)   [Markets](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/stock-markets\/)   [Negotiations](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/negotiations\/)   [Single Market](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/single-market\/)   [Technology](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/technology\/)   [Trade](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/trade\/)   [Youth](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/youth\/)\n\nRelated Countries\n\n[Canada](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/country\/canada\/)   [Finland](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/country\/finland\/)   [Iceland](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/country\/iceland\/)   [Norway](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/country\/norway\/)   [United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/country\/united-kingdom\/)\n\nRelated People\n\n[Alexander Stubb](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/person\/alexander-stubb\/)   [Boris Johnson](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/person\/boris-johnson\/)   [Keir Starmer](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/person\/keir-starmer\/)   [Mark Carney](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/person\/mark-carney\/)\n\n## Our readers read next\n![Embassy cables detail how Iran war is hurting the US abroad](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/17\/GettyImages-2265174339-scaled.jpg)\n\n## [Embassy cables detail how Iran war is hurting the US abroad](https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/04\/17\/embassy-cables-detail-how-iran-war-is-hurting-the-us-abroad-00877205)\n1 HR ago   9 mins read\n\n![US Director of National Intelligence raised issues with spy law Trump is pushing to renew](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/17\/GettyImages-2267225063-scaled.jpg)\n\n## [US Director of National Intelligence raised issues with spy law Trump is pushing to renew](https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/04\/16\/gabbard-trump-fisa-702-00877855)\n2 HRS ago   5 mins read\n\n![‘More compromises’: Trump wants an end to Iran war](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/17\/GettyImages-2271108500-scaled.jpg)\n\n## [‘More compromises’: Trump wants an end to Iran war](https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/04\/16\/trump-badly-wants-to-end-the-iran-war-but-the-off-ramp-remains-elusive-00877748)\n8 HRS ago   8 mins read\n\n![Britain’s bitter assisted dying debate is about to come roaring back to life](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/17\/GettyImages-2258269423-scaled.jpg)\n\n## [Britain’s bitter assisted dying debate is about to come roaring back to life](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/assisted-dying-debate-britain-roars-back-to-life-kim-leadbeater-charlie-falconer\/)\n9 HRS ago   17 mins read\n\n## More from Tim Ross\n![Carney and Stubb: Two centrist dads trying to save the world ](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/14\/carneystubb.jpg)\n\n## [Carney and Stubb: Two centrist dads trying to save the world](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/mark-carney-alexander-stubb-two-centrist-dads-trying-save-the-world\/)\nThe leaders of Canada and Finland are running partners and friends who text each other regularly. Can they build a new transatlantic alliance in the age of Trump?\n\nApr 15   11 mins read\n\n![Europe up for policing Hormuz — but only if the fighting stops](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/02\/GettyImages-2269516063-scaled.jpg)\n\n## [Europe up for policing Hormuz — but only if the fighting stops](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/europe-up-policing-hormuz-strait-only-fighting-stops\/)\nDonald Trump’s demands for NATO allies to “take the lead” on Hormuz loom over 41-nation call organized by the U.K.\n\nApr 2   4 mins read\n\n![Trump’s rage at NATO allies is binding them together — against him ](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01\/GettyImages-2266841928-scaled.jpg)\n\nAnalysis\n\n## [Trump’s rage at NATO allies is binding them together — against him](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/donald-trump-anger-nato-allies-europe-united\/)\nLeaders and defense officials have started hedging against the risk America will pull out of NATO, the bedrock of European security since 1949.\n\nApr 1   10 mins read\n\n![Iran war threatens a global recession, Finland’s Stubb warns](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26\/IMG_2348.png)\n\nExclusive\n\n## [Iran war threatens a global recession, Finland’s Stubb warns](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/iran-war-global-recession-finland-president-alexander-stubb\/)\nThe U.S. president’s European golf buddy calls for extra efforts to stop regional conflicts from spiraling toward World War III.\n\nMar 27   8 mins read\n\n- - 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[Trade](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/section\/trade\/)\n\nThe Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order.\n\nAI generated Text-to-speech\n\n- [Copy Link Copied](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/ \"Copy Link\")\n- [Share via email](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#06396469627f3b6e727276752335472334402334407171712876696a6f726f65692863732334406774726f656a63233440606f686a6768622b676a637e67686263742b75727364642b6474637e6f722b736d2b6373233440202536353e3d7573646c6365723b406f686a676862234334233e36233f3f7523343655727364642335472334364474637e6f722334367167752334366a6f6d632334367567716f68612334366960602334367f6973742334366a63612334366069742334366869233436746367756968 \"EMail\")\n- [Share on X](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/&text=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason \"X\")\n- [Share on WhatsApp](https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason%20https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/ \"WhatsApp\")\n- [Share on LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/&title=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason&summary=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason&source=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/ \"Linkedin\")\n\n[Free article usually reserved for subscribers](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/pro\/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu\/)\n\n![FRANCE-FINLAND-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1160,height=774,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/17\/GettyImages-2262654473-scaled.jpg)\n\n“We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Alexander Stubb said. \\| Pool photo by Thomas Padilla via AFP\/Getty Images\n\nMarch 17, 2026   4:30 pm CET\n\nBy  [Tim Ross](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/author\/tim-ross\/)\n\nLONDON — Brexit was “a colossal mistake” and the U.K. should rejoin the European Union, Alexander Stubb said Tuesday.\n\nBut instead of waiting for that to happen, London and Brussels should work together now to deepen their relationship in key areas such as defense and intelligence sharing, trade and access to the single market, and technology and innovation, the Finnish president said.\n\nSpeaking at the Chatham House think tank during a visit to London, he said the chaotic state of the world in which the old, rules-based order no longer holds should prompt a radical rethink of the EU-U.K. relationship.\n\n“I think Brexit was a colossal mistake,” said former London student Stubb, who has a British wife and children with dual nationality. “I am too diplomatic to express exactly what I think about those who promoted Brexit during the campaign, and those who still say that Brexit is a good thing … But I do think it's not only shooting yourself in the foot, but it's like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it.”\n\nStubb said he recognized that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not aim to rejoin the EU but argued that Brits and Europeans should be “pragmatic” now and show flexibility on both sides.\n\nNegotiations have been ongoing over moves toward deepening the partnership between London and Brussels since Starmer’s Labour won power in 2024, but progress has been held back over disagreements over youth mobility programs, [student fees](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/eu-insists-tuition-fees-cut-price-brexit-reset\/) and how much the U.K. should pay to take part in an arms investment package.\n\n“We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Stubb said. “I should probably express my view that it took you seven years to negotiate yourselves out of the EU, it will take you seven years to regret it, and then seven years to come back in. I hope.”\n\nStubb said British membership of the EU’s customs union should be possible, alongside participation in the single market. Red lines during years of Brexit negotiations meant the U.K. left both structures five years ago, under a bare bones deal that Boris Johnson negotiated.\n\n“We need to be super pragmatic,” he said, instead of Europeans thinking they should “continue to punish” the U.K. for leaving the bloc. “Get out of the mindset that the U.K. should not be a part of the customs union, or the U.K. should not be a part of the internal market. Think about a flexible way of dealing with it.”\n\nMore broadly, Stubb suggested the EU should reform its structures to allow more flexibility in the way member countries work together, and work with states that are not formal members of the EU.\n\nHe said Iceland is renewing its interest in becoming a member, he’d like to see Norway join the bloc, and he joked to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada should also take a look at EU membership when the pair went running together on Tuesday morning in London.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Finland’s Stubb: Brexit was like sawing off your leg for no reason – POLITICO
Meta Description	The Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order.
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Boilerpipe Text	News Trade The Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order. AI generated Text-to-speech Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn Free article usually reserved for subscribers “We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Alexander Stubb said. \| Pool photo by Thomas Padilla via AFP/Getty Images March 17, 2026 4:30 pm CET By Tim Ross LONDON — Brexit was “a colossal mistake” and the U.K. should rejoin the European Union, Alexander Stubb said Tuesday. But instead of waiting for that to happen, London and Brussels should work together now to deepen their relationship in key areas such as defense and intelligence sharing, trade and access to the single market, and technology and innovation, the Finnish president said. Speaking at the Chatham House think tank during a visit to London, he said the chaotic state of the world in which the old, rules-based order no longer holds should prompt a radical rethink of the EU-U.K. relationship. “I think Brexit was a colossal mistake,” said former London student Stubb, who has a British wife and children with dual nationality. “I am too diplomatic to express exactly what I think about those who promoted Brexit during the campaign, and those who still say that Brexit is a good thing … But I do think it's not only shooting yourself in the foot, but it's like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it.” Stubb said he recognized that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not aim to rejoin the EU but argued that Brits and Europeans should be “pragmatic” now and show flexibility on both sides. Negotiations have been ongoing over moves toward deepening the partnership between London and Brussels since Starmer’s Labour won power in 2024, but progress has been held back over disagreements over youth mobility programs, student fees and how much the U.K. should pay to take part in an arms investment package. “We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Stubb said. “I should probably express my view that it took you seven years to negotiate yourselves out of the EU, it will take you seven years to regret it, and then seven years to come back in. I hope.” Stubb said British membership of the EU’s customs union should be possible, alongside participation in the single market. Red lines during years of Brexit negotiations meant the U.K. left both structures five years ago, under a bare bones deal that Boris Johnson negotiated. “We need to be super pragmatic,” he said, instead of Europeans thinking they should “continue to punish” the U.K. for leaving the bloc. “Get out of the mindset that the U.K. should not be a part of the customs union, or the U.K. should not be a part of the internal market. Think about a flexible way of dealing with it.” More broadly, Stubb suggested the EU should reform its structures to allow more flexibility in the way member countries work together, and work with states that are not formal members of the EU. He said Iceland is renewing its interest in becoming a member, he’d like to see Norway join the bloc, and he joked to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada should also take a look at EU membership when the pair went running together on Tuesday morning in London.
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[News](https://www.politico.eu/news) 2. [Trade](https://www.politico.eu/section/trade/) # Finland’s Stubb: Brexit was like sawing off your leg for no reason The Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order. Listen AI generated Text-to-speech - [Copy Link Copied](https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/ "Copy Link") - [Share via email](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#06396469627f3b6e727276752335472334402334407171712876696a6f726f65692863732334406774726f656a63233440606f686a6768622b676a637e67686263742b75727364642b6474637e6f722b736d2b6373233440202536353e3d7573646c6365723b406f686a676862234334233e36233f3f7523343655727364642335472334364474637e6f722334367167752334366a6f6d632334367567716f68612334366960602334367f6973742334366a63612334366069742334366869233436746367756968 "EMail") - [Share on X](https://x.com/intent/post/?url=https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/&text=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason "X") - [Share on WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason%20https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/ "WhatsApp") - [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/&title=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason&summary=Finland%E2%80%99s%20Stubb%3A%20Brexit%20was%20like%20sawing%20off%20your%20leg%20for%20no%20reason&source=https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/ "Linkedin") [Free article usually reserved for subscribers](https://www.politico.eu/pro/finland-alexander-stubb-brexit-uk-eu/) ![FRANCE-FINLAND-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=1160,height=774,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/17/GettyImages-2262654473-scaled.jpg) “We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Alexander Stubb said. \\| Pool photo by Thomas Padilla via AFP/Getty Images March 17, 2026 4:30 pm CET By [Tim Ross](https://www.politico.eu/author/tim-ross/) LONDON — Brexit was “a colossal mistake” and the U.K. should rejoin the European Union, Alexander Stubb said Tuesday. But instead of waiting for that to happen, London and Brussels should work together now to deepen their relationship in key areas such as defense and intelligence sharing, trade and access to the single market, and technology and innovation, the Finnish president said. Speaking at the Chatham House think tank during a visit to London, he said the chaotic state of the world in which the old, rules-based order no longer holds should prompt a radical rethink of the EU-U.K. relationship. Advertisement Advertisement “I think Brexit was a colossal mistake,” said former London student Stubb, who has a British wife and children with dual nationality. “I am too diplomatic to express exactly what I think about those who promoted Brexit during the campaign, and those who still say that Brexit is a good thing … But I do think it's not only shooting yourself in the foot, but it's like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it.” Stubb said he recognized that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not aim to rejoin the EU but argued that Brits and Europeans should be “pragmatic” now and show flexibility on both sides. Negotiations have been ongoing over moves toward deepening the partnership between London and Brussels since Starmer’s Labour won power in 2024, but progress has been held back over disagreements over youth mobility programs, [student fees](https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-insists-tuition-fees-cut-price-brexit-reset/) and how much the U.K. should pay to take part in an arms investment package. “We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Stubb said. “I should probably express my view that it took you seven years to negotiate yourselves out of the EU, it will take you seven years to regret it, and then seven years to come back in. I hope.” Stubb said British membership of the EU’s customs union should be possible, alongside participation in the single market. Red lines during years of Brexit negotiations meant the U.K. left both structures five years ago, under a bare bones deal that Boris Johnson negotiated. “We need to be super pragmatic,” he said, instead of Europeans thinking they should “continue to punish” the U.K. for leaving the bloc. “Get out of the mindset that the U.K. should not be a part of the customs union, or the U.K. should not be a part of the internal market. Think about a flexible way of dealing with it.” More broadly, Stubb suggested the EU should reform its structures to allow more flexibility in the way member countries work together, and work with states that are not formal members of the EU. He said Iceland is renewing its interest in becoming a member, he’d like to see Norway join the bloc, and he joked to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada should also take a look at EU membership when the pair went running together on Tuesday morning in London. Advertisement Advertisement Related Tags [Brexit](https://www.politico.eu/tag/brexit/) [Customs Union](https://www.politico.eu/tag/customs-union/) [Defense](https://www.politico.eu/tag/defense/) [Innovation](https://www.politico.eu/tag/innovation/) [Intelligence](https://www.politico.eu/tag/intelligence/) [Investment](https://www.politico.eu/tag/investment/) [Markets](https://www.politico.eu/tag/stock-markets/) [Negotiations](https://www.politico.eu/tag/negotiations/) [Single Market](https://www.politico.eu/tag/single-market/) [Technology](https://www.politico.eu/tag/technology/) [Trade](https://www.politico.eu/tag/trade/) [Youth](https://www.politico.eu/tag/youth/) Related Countries [Canada](https://www.politico.eu/country/canada/) [Finland](https://www.politico.eu/country/finland/) [Iceland](https://www.politico.eu/country/iceland/) [Norway](https://www.politico.eu/country/norway/) [United Kingdom](https://www.politico.eu/country/united-kingdom/) Related People [Alexander Stubb](https://www.politico.eu/person/alexander-stubb/) [Boris Johnson](https://www.politico.eu/person/boris-johnson/) [Keir Starmer](https://www.politico.eu/person/keir-starmer/) [Mark Carney](https://www.politico.eu/person/mark-carney/) ## Our readers read next ![Embassy cables detail how Iran war is hurting the US abroad](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/17/GettyImages-2265174339-scaled.jpg) ## [Embassy cables detail how Iran war is hurting the US abroad](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/17/embassy-cables-detail-how-iran-war-is-hurting-the-us-abroad-00877205) 1 HR ago 9 mins read ![US Director of National Intelligence raised issues with spy law Trump is pushing to renew](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/17/GettyImages-2267225063-scaled.jpg) ## [US Director of National Intelligence raised issues with spy law Trump is pushing to renew](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/16/gabbard-trump-fisa-702-00877855) 2 HRS ago 5 mins read ![‘More compromises’: Trump wants an end to Iran war](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/17/GettyImages-2271108500-scaled.jpg) ## [‘More compromises’: Trump wants an end to Iran war](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/16/trump-badly-wants-to-end-the-iran-war-but-the-off-ramp-remains-elusive-00877748) 8 HRS ago 8 mins read ![Britain’s bitter assisted dying debate is about to come roaring back to life](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/17/GettyImages-2258269423-scaled.jpg) ## [Britain’s bitter assisted dying debate is about to come roaring back to life](https://www.politico.eu/article/assisted-dying-debate-britain-roars-back-to-life-kim-leadbeater-charlie-falconer/) 9 HRS ago 17 mins read ## More from Tim Ross ![Carney and Stubb: Two centrist dads trying to save the world ](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/14/carneystubb.jpg) ## [Carney and Stubb: Two centrist dads trying to save the world](https://www.politico.eu/article/mark-carney-alexander-stubb-two-centrist-dads-trying-save-the-world/) The leaders of Canada and Finland are running partners and friends who text each other regularly. 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Readable Markdown	1. [News](https://www.politico.eu/news) 2. [Trade](https://www.politico.eu/section/trade/) The Finnish president predicts the U.K. will rejoin the EU, and wants closer integration on defense and trade as Donald Trump rips up the world order. 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We really miss you guys,” Alexander Stubb said. \\| Pool photo by Thomas Padilla via AFP/Getty Images March 17, 2026 4:30 pm CET By [Tim Ross](https://www.politico.eu/author/tim-ross/) LONDON — Brexit was “a colossal mistake” and the U.K. should rejoin the European Union, Alexander Stubb said Tuesday. But instead of waiting for that to happen, London and Brussels should work together now to deepen their relationship in key areas such as defense and intelligence sharing, trade and access to the single market, and technology and innovation, the Finnish president said. Speaking at the Chatham House think tank during a visit to London, he said the chaotic state of the world in which the old, rules-based order no longer holds should prompt a radical rethink of the EU-U.K. relationship. “I think Brexit was a colossal mistake,” said former London student Stubb, who has a British wife and children with dual nationality. “I am too diplomatic to express exactly what I think about those who promoted Brexit during the campaign, and those who still say that Brexit is a good thing … But I do think it's not only shooting yourself in the foot, but it's like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it.” Stubb said he recognized that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not aim to rejoin the EU but argued that Brits and Europeans should be “pragmatic” now and show flexibility on both sides. Negotiations have been ongoing over moves toward deepening the partnership between London and Brussels since Starmer’s Labour won power in 2024, but progress has been held back over disagreements over youth mobility programs, [student fees](https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-insists-tuition-fees-cut-price-brexit-reset/) and how much the U.K. should pay to take part in an arms investment package. “We need a U.K. voice in Europe. We really miss you guys,” Stubb said. “I should probably express my view that it took you seven years to negotiate yourselves out of the EU, it will take you seven years to regret it, and then seven years to come back in. I hope.” Stubb said British membership of the EU’s customs union should be possible, alongside participation in the single market. Red lines during years of Brexit negotiations meant the U.K. left both structures five years ago, under a bare bones deal that Boris Johnson negotiated. “We need to be super pragmatic,” he said, instead of Europeans thinking they should “continue to punish” the U.K. for leaving the bloc. “Get out of the mindset that the U.K. should not be a part of the customs union, or the U.K. should not be a part of the internal market. Think about a flexible way of dealing with it.” More broadly, Stubb suggested the EU should reform its structures to allow more flexibility in the way member countries work together, and work with states that are not formal members of the EU. He said Iceland is renewing its interest in becoming a member, he’d like to see Norway join the bloc, and he joked to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada should also take a look at EU membership when the pair went running together on Tuesday morning in London.
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