“Finland’s one-year chairmanship of the OSCE began on January 1. Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted that Elina Valtonen made her first visit in this position to Ukraine, and this is an important symbol of support for our state.”, — write: www.president.gov.ua
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi met with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen.
Finland’s one-year chairmanship of the OSCE began on January 1. Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted that Elina Valtonen made her first visit in this position to Ukraine, and this is an important symbol of support for our state.
He thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the government, the President and the entire Finnish people for supporting Ukraine from the very beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Finland provided 26 defense aid packages totaling more than 2.3 billion euros.
Separately, Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted Finland’s participation in the first Peace Summit and the thematic conferences based on its results.
“We count on your leadership and chairmanship of the OSCE. And I want to discuss with you and your team what the OSCE can do for Ukraine, first of all for our children, for our soldiers, for our heroic people who are held in Russian prisons,” the President said.
During the meeting, they discussed preparations for a special enhanced meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council dedicated to the third anniversary of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and this year’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, the document on the basis of which the Organization was created. The principles of this act are also the basis of the Peace Formula and the Victory Plan.
Particular attention was paid to the strengthening of sanctions against the shadow fleet of the Russian Federation, which enables the aggressor state to finance the war. Elina Valtonen also emphasized that Russia uses the shadow fleet to undermine the marginal price of oil, and it, in addition, creates a real threat to the environment.
“As Finland and as the OSCE Chairmanship, we will do everything to achieve a just and sustainable peace for your country. Ukraine will remain a priority for the entire Organization,” she assured.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that she supports the “peace through strength” approach and Ukraine’s right to self-defense in the face of unprovoked Russian aggression.
