Finland has announced new opportunities for Ukraine
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated that Ukraine is now in a better position on the front lines than before. According to him, Ukrainian forces are not only holding back the Russian army but are also capable of striking key targets deep behind enemy lines.
Helsinki is convinced that now is not the time to weaken support for Kyiv. On the contrary—aid to Ukraine must continue, and pressure on Russia must only be intensified.
Petteri Orpo made this statement following a meeting of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) countries, which took place in Tallinn. The Finnish Prime Minister noted that the situation on the battlefield no longer looks the same as it did a few years ago.
According to him, the Ukrainian army today has greater capabilities for action and is demonstrating the ability to deliver painful blows to Russian military infrastructure. “The situation on the front has changed. Ukraine, which is defending itself, is stronger today than before and is capable of striking deep into key targets in Russia,” Orpo said. He emphasized that this is precisely why partner countries must continue to support Ukraine.
The Finnish prime minister also commented on peace talks. In his view, Russia has not yet demonstrated a genuine willingness to end the war. At the same time, Orpo believes it is important to support Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts.
According to him, Finland supports President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s position on seeking a path to ending the war through negotiations. At the same time, he emphasized that peace is possible only when Russia is ready for genuine dialogue, not a mere imitation of it.
Separately, the Finnish prime minister addressed the issue of sanctions pressure against Moscow. According to him, the current restrictions are already yielding results and damaging the Russian economy. That is why the European Union is currently working on a new package of sanctions. “Negotiations on the 21st package of EU sanctions are ongoing, and we hope for a robust package,” Orpo stated. Finland is convinced that economic pressure remains one of the most effective tools for influencing the Kremlin.
During the meeting in Tallinn, Ukraine’s European integration was also discussed. Orpo stated that he supports opening all negotiation chapters regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union before the summer recess in the work of European institutions. In his view, the accession process should move forward as quickly as conditions allow. Finland remains one of the countries that openly advocates for Ukraine’s future EU membership.
Another topic of discussion was drones and related incidents in European Union airspace. Orpo noted that this issue is a cause for concern among European countries.
At the same time, he praised the Ukrainian side’s willingness to investigate such cases. “We appreciate President Zelenskyy’s willingness to investigate these incidents to prevent them in the future,” the Finnish prime minister noted. He emphasized that every state is primarily responsible for the safety of its citizens and its territory.
At the end of his speech, Orpo once again reaffirmed his support for Ukraine and its right to self-defense. According to him, the responsibility for the war lies entirely with Russia. “Russia must stop the war it started over four years ago,” the Finnish prime minister emphasized.
Since joining NATO, Finland has become one of Ukraine’s most active allies in Northern Europe. Helsinki has repeatedly stated that Ukraine’s security is directly linked to the security of the entire European continent. That is why the Finnish government advocates continuing military, financial, and political support for Kyiv until the war ends. This was stated by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo following the conclusion of the North Baltic Eight (NB8) meeting in Tallinn.
Finland has decided not to open its border with Russia.
The Finnish Air Force will conduct special exercises to repel drone attacks in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, as well as in the Kymenlaakso and South Karelia regions, which border Russia.
A delegation from the Helsinki Fire and Rescue Department in Finland spent four days studying the experience of Ukrainian rescue workers in dealing with the aftermath of war.
