Helsinki, 24 August 2023
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo visited Kyiv on Wednesday 23 August. There, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. Prime Minister Orpo also attended the third Crimea Platform Summit hosted by President Zelenskyy, where discussions highlighted the status of Crimea as part of Ukraine.
In his talks with the Ukrainian state leaders, Prime Minister Orpo stressed that Finland’s strong support to Ukraine would continue. The meetings focused on Finland’s political and material support to Ukraine, reconstruction, and Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace. Discussions also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the defence materiel industry, which Finland and Ukraine will explore.
At the Crimea Platform Summit, Prime Minister Orpo emphasised Finland’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The Crimea Platform was established three years ago to draw international attention to the situation in Crimea and to the difficult position of the region’s population, especially the Tatar minority. Russia illegally occupied Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014.
In connection with the summit, Prime Minister Orpo had a bilateral meeting with Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean. Their discussions focused on the internal situation in Moldova and on the reforms Moldova is carrying out as part of its EU accession process.
The Government is currently preparing Finland’s 18th defence materiel package for Ukraine. The goal is to decide on the matter this week. Finland’s overall support to Ukraine is over EUR 1.7 billion. So far, Finland has sent Ukraine 17 packages of defence materiel with a total value of EUR 1.2 billion.
Finland supports Ukraine’s peace process and peace plan. At the G20 summit last November, President Zelenskyy presented his ten-point peace formula and proposed a summit to discuss the formula with world leaders.
Prime Minister Orpo’s programme in Kyiv also included laying a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for the Fallen for Ukraine at Mykhailivska Square. In the evening, Prime Minister Orpo attended the National Legends event, where President Zelenskyy presented awards to citizens for their merits in the war.
Source – Finnish Government