Marin assures Shmyhal about Finland´s firm support to Ukraine

Prime Minister Sanna Marin had a telephone conversation with her Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on Monday and emphasised that Finland firmly supports Ukraine both nationally and through the European Union, said a government press release.

Finland strongly condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine and continues to promote, by means of large-scale sanctions, the consistent, rapid and determined response by the European Union to the aggression that Russia is continuing.

Marin emphasised the readiness of the EU to impose more sanctions that will have a rapid effect.

She said that the thoughts of Finns are now with Ukrainians and that the situation in Ukraine touches Finns deeply. She reminded that Finns have had similar experiences in the past.

The seriousness of the situation in Ukraine and the need for support was emphasised in the discussion.

Marin told her Ukrainian counterpart about Finland's decisions to support Ukraine. Ukraine has already received the armed assistance provided by Finland.

The Prime Ministers agreed that it is also important to respond to Russia’s information warfare, in which Russia feeds false information about the war and its own intentions to Russians, too.

Other topics discussed included Ukraine’s application for membership of the European Union and the Ukrainian people's wish for a European future.

The consideration of the application is being assessed at the EU level, and Marin estimated that the issue will be discussed at the informal European Council on 10–11 March.

The Prime Ministers agreed to meet face to face as soon as the situation permits.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and her Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre on Monday held a telephone conversation and discussed Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the security situation, and closer security and defence cooperation between the Nordic countries.

The prime ministers stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine in the current situation and, at the same time, strongly condemning Russia’s attack and coordinating sanctions against Russia so that they can be as effective as possible.

Their discussion emphasised the importance of close cooperation and unity. Northern Europe forms a common security environment with a strong transatlantic link.

Finland is intensifying its security and defence cooperation with Norway. Norway, Sweden and Finland also engage in trilateral cooperation. Norway currently holds the chairmanship of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). Bilateral cooperation between Finland and Norway is also close through Finland’s partnership with NATO, which has intensified due to the situation.

Norway is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of NATO.

The current situation has been the topic of much recent discussion in this context. Finland, for its part, participates in the EU’s decision-making on sanctions and EU support measures for Ukraine.