Finland strongly condemns Russia´s attack on Ukraine

Finland on Thursday strongly condemned Russia´s military attack on Ukraine and expressed sympathies to the people of Ukraine.

Terming the overnight attack as shocking to everyone, President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin from a joint press conference also demanded an immediate end to the hostilities.

"Our deep sympathies go to the people of Ukraine. In Kyiv, Kharkov, Mariupol, Odessa and elsewhere, innocent people are experiencing the horrors of war," Niinistö said at the press conference after holding a meeting with Marin in the morning.

The President said that Finland strongly condemns Russia's actions.

The Prime Minister told the press conference that Finland´s supports go to Ukraine along with the wider international community.

"We, as Finland, as the European Union and as the international community, strongly condemn Russia's military action against Ukraine," Marin said.

Both the President and Prime Minister, however, assured that Finland is not facing immediate threat to its sovereignty as a sequel to the Russia's attack on Ukraine.

"It is understandable that many Finns are sensing panic. I emphasise that there is no current threat against Finland,” said Niinistö, adding that the attack will affect Finland] and already affected.

The Prime Minister said that the European Union is ready to impose tough and strong sanctions on Russia responding to the Russia´s military action.

Meanwhile, the President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy in the morning discussed the actions taken by Russia and the European security situation, after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine.

Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, said an official press release, adding that Russia's actions target Ukraine but are also an attack on the entire European security order.

The meeting viewed that the attack is a flagrant violation of international law. Russia should cease military operations immediately and return to the negotiating table.

The meeting observed that Finland firmly supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, self-determination and territorial integrity.

Finland will explore ways to strengthen Finland’s support to Ukraine. Finland will respond to Russia’s actions as part of the European Union, the press release added.

Earlier in the morning, President Sauli Niinistö in his twitter post condemned the Russia´s military attack and sought ways to enhance Finland´s support to Ukraine.

“I strongly condemn the military measures Russia has started in Ukraine. Russia's acts target Ukraine, but at the same time they are an attack on the entire European security order. We feel deep compassion towards Ukraine and are seeking ways to increase our support to Ukraine,” Niinistö wrote in the twitter post.

In another twitter post, the President wrote that he already talked to Swedish and Norwegian Prime Ministers over phone and discussed the situation.

“I spoke on the phone with @SwedishPM Andersson and Norwegian PM @jonasgahrstore this morning. A shared view of the dangerous situation, a strong commitment to Nordic unity,” the President wrote in his twitter.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin also condemned the Russia´s attack and expressed her support to Ukraine and Ukrainians.

“I strongly condemn the military action Russia has taken in Ukraine. The attack is a grave breach of international law and threatens the life of numerous civilians. Finland expresses its solid support to Ukraine and Ukrainians and we are looking for ways to increase this support,” Marin wrote in her twitter post in the morning.