Finnish Foreign Minister: Finland Does Not Seek a Mediator Role in the War, as It Stands with Ukraine
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Finland will not seek to mediate in Russia's war against Ukraine because it stands on Ukraine's side. She was commenting on a phone call between the leaders of Finland and Norway and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in Helsinki that her country is not looking for a mediator's role in Russia's war against Ukraine, because it supports Ukraine now and will in the future. She spoke at a press conference alongside her Ukrainian and Norwegian counterparts. Valtonen was commenting on a phone call that Finland's president and Norway's prime minister held with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Finland's position
Valtonen stressed that Finland is not seeking ways to improve relations with Russia, but wants to advance efforts to achieve peace. In her words, Russia does not want to end the war and continues to escalate. Finland supports not only Ukraine but also the US-led process aimed at ending the killing of soldiers and civilians.
Background
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Putin by phone on Tuesday, on their own initiative. Stubb described the discussion as frank and businesslike. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Stubb and Støre told Putin clearly that real de-escalation steps are needed regarding Ukraine's energy sector and infrastructure.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she is very skeptical about the outcome of the call. According to her, the conversation was not coordinated with other European countries.
