Finland to get ready to take Ukrainian refugees, publishes sanctions list

Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on Saturday said that Finland would be prepared to help the incoming refugees from Ukraine as thousands of Ukrainians are leaving the country following the worsening situation due Russia´s attack on Ukraine.

Talking to the national broadcaster Yle in its Ykkösaamu (Morning Breakfast) programme, Haavisto said he believes that Finland will be prepared to do its part in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday published a list of sanctions agreed by the EU on Thursday.

The sanctions included private individuals, financial organisations and state-run companies, among other targets, said the ministry in a press release.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other individuals in the Russian leadership and Belarussian military officials are facing sanctions.

The European Union on Thursday reacted in a swift, strong and unified manner to the military action taken by Russian in Ukraine.

On the same, a special meeting of the European Council agreed on further restrictive measures that will have massive and severe consequences for Russia.

The new sanctions cover the financial, energy and transport sectors, dual-use goods, export financing and visa policy.

Additionally, the list of individuals targeted by sanctions has been expanded to cover new Russian citizens.