Finnish Foreign Minister: We Are Not Mediators, We Stand With Ukraine

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that Finland supports Ukraine and will stay on its side, and therefore does not seek a mediating role in the war. She spoke at a press conference in Helsinki with her Ukrainian and Norwegian counterparts.

Valtonen was commenting on the phone call that the leaders of Finland and Norway made to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin. "Finland is not seeking a mediator role in the war, because we now and in the future remain on Ukraine's side," she said.

No attempt to improve ties with Russia

She also stressed that Finland is not looking for ways to improve relations with Russia but wants to advance efforts to achieve peace. "Unfortunately, Russia does not want to end this war and continues to escalate. We not only support Ukraine but also the US-led process to end the killing of soldiers and civilians," Valtonen said.

Background of the call

On Tuesday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store held a phone conversation with the Kremlin leader on their own initiative. According to Stubb, the discussion was "frank and businesslike." Zelensky said Stubb and Store "clearly told" Putin about the need for real de-escalation steps regarding Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she is very sceptical about the outcome of the call, adding that it had not been coordinated with other European countries. More in politics.