Finnish foreign minister: We do not seek to mediate in the war because we stand with Ukraine
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has said that Finland supports Ukraine and will continue to stand by it, which is why it is not seeking a mediating role in the war.
Source: Valtonen at a press conference with her Ukrainian and Norwegian counterparts in Helsinki, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Valtonen was commenting on a phone call between the leaders of Finland and Norway and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.
"Finland is not seeking a role to mediate in this war because we are and will remain on the side of Ukraine," the minister said.
She also stressed that Finland is not looking for ways to improve relations with Russia, but wants to advance efforts to achieve peace.
Quote: "Unfortunately, Russia has not ended its war, but they keep escalating. So what we are doing, we are supporting not only Ukraine but also the US-led peace process to finding an end to this killing, not only the senseless killing of soldiers at the battlefield, but specifically also the civilians who suffer in their homes, in the Ukrainian cities and elsewhere."
Background:
- On 27 October, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a phone call with Putin on their own initiative. Stubb described the discussion as "frank and substantive".
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Finnish and Norwegian leaders discussed de-escalation measures in the war, particularly regarding energy and infrastructure, during their call with Putin.
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she is highly sceptical about the outcome of Stubb and Støre's phone call with Putin. According to Frederiksen, the call had not been coordinated with other European countries.
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