Niinistö holds telephone conversations with Putin, Zelensky
Published : 12 Mar 2022, 00:01
Updated : 12 Mar 2022, 03:17
President Sauli Niinistö on Friday held separate telephone conversations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and discussed the situation in Ukraine, said the President´s Office.
In the conversation with Putin, Niinistö focused exclusively on the war in Ukraine and stressed the worsening catastrophe and the deep human suffering in Ukraine, which also has a strong influence on the public opinion in the West, said an official press release.
Niinistö underscored the need to achieve an immediate ceasefire and to ensure a safe evacuation of civilians through humanitarian corridors.
In addition, President Niinistö drew attention on the safety and security of the nuclear energy facilities in Ukraine.
Niinistö told about the conversation he had had earlier on the same day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and brought up, once more, Zelensky’s preparedness to talk directly with Putin.
Earlier on Friday, Niinistö had a phone call with Zelensky and the Presidents discussed the situation of the war in Ukraine and Finland’s support and aid for Ukraine, said the President Office in another press release.
Particular themes were the need to secure a safe evacuation of civilians through humanitarian corridors and the safety of nuclear facilities. The Presidents agreed to continue their contact.