Finland is ready to tighten sanctions on Russia: PM

Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday said that Finland considers important that the EU step up its assistance to Ukraine and Finland is also prepared to tighten the sanctions imposed on Russia.

The Premier made the remarks from a joint press conference after a meeting with her Greek counterpart Kyriákos Mitsotákis in Athens, said a government press release.

In their meeting, the prime ministers discussed Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the changed security situation in Europe, topical EU matters, and relations between Finland and Greece.

They reiterated their strong support for and solidarity with Ukraine.

Marin stressed the need to increase the use of renewable energy quickly, as this will help reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil energy imported from Russia.

“The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has created the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Both Finland and Greece are receiving people fleeing the war, above all women and children. Finland is also working with the Ukrainian authorities to arrange direct transport from Ukraine to Finland for the most vulnerable people, such as children travelling alone. We must work together to prevent human smuggling,” Marin said at the press conference.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has significantly changed the security environment in Finland and throughout Europe. Marin stated that Finland would decide in the near future whether to apply for NATO membership.

“I would like to thank Greece, which has supported Finland in developing its partnership with NATO. Finland’s current close cooperation with NATO puts us in an excellent position to join. Finland’s message to the NATO member countries is this: if we decide to apply for membership, we will strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland has a credible national defence. Like Greece, Finland also has a strong and modern army,” Marin added.

The meeting was the first bilateral meeting between Marin and Mitsotákis. It was organised at the invitation of the Greek Prime Minister.

At the end of her visit, Prime Minister Marin also spoke with Greece's former Prime Minister Aléxis Tsipras, leader of the largest opposition party in the country, Zyriza.