March 28. 2024. 7:42

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Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to meet Nordic leaders in Finland surprise visit


Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Finland on Wednesday (3 May) for talks with Nordic leaders on support for his country’s war with Russia and on its relations with Europe.

Hundreds of people gathered in central Helsinki to see Zelenskyy arrive, cheering to him as he appeared in front of the presidential palace.

At a Wednesday lunchtime press conference, Zelenskyy said he was working with Finland and other Nordic partners on more military aid packages – which he described as “crucial” – and a new round of sanctions which he said the Kremlin was “constantly trying to evade.”

Speaking in Helsinki, Zelenskyy referenced Finland’s Winter War against Russia in 1939-1940, when it was faced with an opponent of overwhelming size, but still somehow managed to defeat the might of the Russian forces.

The Ukrainian president said it was a “historic winter fight for freedom” which he compared to “our brave fight now” in Ukraine.

The wider Nordic summit was set to include Finish President Sauli Niinisto as well as Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and the prime minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

“The theme of the summit is Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Nordic countries’ continued support for Ukraine, Ukraine’s relationship with the EU and NATO, and Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace,” Niinisto’s office said.

A spokesperson for Zelenskyy in a statement said the Ukrainian government expected the summit to result in a joint statement.

“The meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and the five countries of Northern Europe is organised for further coordination of military assistance to our state, European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine,” the spokesperson wrote.

Each of the Nordic prime ministers will have the chance to have a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy and will take part in a joint press conference at the end of the day in Helsinki.

The Ukrainian president’s visit to Finland, one of only a few journeys he has made abroad since Russia’s invasion last year, was announced only after his arrival amid tight security in the Finnish capital.

Zelenskyy is then attending a working lunch with outgoing Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, and he’ll also meet the incoming prime minister, Petteri Orpo who is currently holding talks on forming a new government after April’s election.

Finland recently joined NATO, becoming its 31st member, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland shares a long border with Russia.

The Kremlin said on April 4 Finland’s accession to NATO was a dangerous historic mistake that would weaken security in the wider region and force Moscow to take counter-measures.

Echoing this view, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a briefing on Wednesday: “As we observe NATO’s plans for Finland, we confirm that Russia will be forced to retaliate, both militarily and otherwise, in order to curb threats to our national security.”

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