A number of EU ambassadors in Kiev today showed their support for Ukraine. Despite the growing threat from Russia, the Finnish Embassy in Ukraine will continue to operate, at least for the time being.
KIOVA / HELSINKI The Finnish embassy is still operating in Kiev, although some of the staff have been repatriated and adjusted, says Finland’s ambassador to Ukraine Päivi Laine Above in Kiev.
The most important task of the embassy is now to help Finns return to Finland.
– If the actual hostilities begin, then it is time for us to get out of here. I don’t see that situation here yet, Ambassador Laine says.
Ukraine is celebrating the country’s president today Volodymyr Zelensky declared a day of unity.
A large number of EU ambassadors gathered in the morning for a memorial to the Ukrainians who fell in the war in eastern Ukraine in front of Mikhailov Cathedral. According to Laine, it was a matter of showing support and solidarity to Ukraine as the Russian threat intensified.
According to Laine, the day is celebrated in part due to internal political differences.
– Now it is important that the Ukrainians come together and fight together against this common enemy.
The tense situation brings back memories alive
Ukraine has soon waged an eight-year war against Russian-led forces in eastern Ukraine. An estimated 14,000 Ukrainians have died in the war. There are many times wounded.
The memorial wall in Kiev features images and dates of the birth of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war.
– Although the war zone is far to the east, this issue affects all Ukrainians and the whole of Ukraine because of these fallen and wounded, Laine says.
There are more than one and a half million internally displaced persons in Ukraine who cannot return to their homes in the Russian-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
According to Finland’s Ambassador to Ukraine Laine, the intensified situation caused by Russia will bring back the memories of Ukrainians years ago.
– There have been a lot of discussions about how hard and heavy this time has been, when many loved ones have died in this war.