HELSINKI — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Finland on Wednesday for talks with Nordic leaders on help for his nation amid Russia’s invasion and on Ukraine’s relations with Europe, governments of the area mentioned.
Zelenskiy will maintain bilateral talks with Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto adopted by a news convention earlier than becoming a member of a regional summit and a second assembly with media, Niinisto’s workplace mentioned in an announcement.
Hundreds of individuals gathered in central Helsinki to see Zelenskiy arrive, cheering to him as he appeared in entrance of the presidential palace.
The wider summit will embrace Niinisto in addition to the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
“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 workplace mentioned.
A spokesperson for Zelenskiy in an announcement mentioned the Ukrainian authorities anticipated the summit to end in a joint assertion.
“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.
The Ukrainian president’s go to to Finland, considered one of just a few journeys he has made overseas since Russia’s invasion final yr, was introduced solely after his arrival amid tight safety within the Finnish capital.
Finland just lately joined NATO, turning into its thirty first member, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland shares a protracted border with Russia.
The Kremlin mentioned on April 4 Finland’s accession to NATO was a harmful historic mistake that might weaken safety within the wider area and drive Moscow to take counter-measures.
Echoing this view, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned 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.” — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
