Kyiv, 10 March 2023
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin visited Ukraine at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The visit steps up Finland and Europe’s support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Marin met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and other Ukrainian leadership as well as with Oleksandra Matviichuk from the Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.
Prime Minister Marin was briefed by President Zelensky on the state of the war and on Ukraine’s immediate needs for support. The Prime Minister brought the message that Finland’s unshakable support for Ukraine will continue both bilaterally and through the European Union for as long as necessary. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to deliver defence materiel to Ukraine and to rapidly ramp up Europe’s defence industry in particular to enable the joint procurement of munitions.
Earlier today, Finland announced a EUR 29 million support package focused on education, the environment and radiation safety. New development cooperation projects are also being prepared with Ukraine, which is Finland’s largest development cooperation partner. The Prime Minister also expressed Finland’s support for Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction.
Prime Minister Marin and President Zelensky discussed the accountability of Russia’s leadership for violations of international law in Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Accountability was also a key topic in the Prime Minister’s discussions with Oleksandra Matviichuk, who is the head of the Center for Civil Liberties.
“Russia and its representatives must be held accountable for the crime of aggression, war crimes and for the consequences of the war. Finland is participating in a core group of 20 countries that are seeking ways to hold Russia accountable,” Prime Minister Marin said.
The Prime Minister confirmed Finland’s support for President Zelensky’s peace initiative and for its implementation, for example, in relation to radiation safety and environmental damage. Finnish Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo also participated in the visit and signed two memoranda of understanding, which are intended to help Ukraine monitor the state of the environment, rebuild the country and implement the green transition.
Prime Minister Marin also visited a military hospital and a school in Irpin.
“We are bringing a clear message of hope for the reconstruction of Ukraine and for its European future. The school children I met today will live in a Ukraine that is a member of the European Union,” Prime Minister Marin said.
Source – Finnish Government