The President of Ukraine said at a press conference that he believes this year will be decisive for Ukraine’s victory.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi is currently in Finland.
Zelenskyi’s visit is hosted by the President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö. At the beginning of the visit, the presidents discussed bilaterally, among other things, Ukraine’s defense struggle, Finland’s continued support for Ukraine, and the global geopolitical situation.
Niinistö described the discussion as good in a message he published on Twitter.
A little after 2 p.m., Zelenskyi and Niinistö held a joint press conference.
President Zelenskyi said in his opening speech of the event that a joint fight guarantees that the enemy will never reach Helsinki. He thanked Finland for the already delivered aid packages and other support.
Zelenskyi said he believes this year will be decisive for Ukraine’s victory. The president said that the goal of his trip is to strengthen the combat capability of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Zelenskyi said he hoped Ukraine would be invited to join the military alliance NATO.
A Danish reporter asked the presidents about supplying Western fighter jets to Ukraine.
Niinistö stated that Finland only has old Hornet fighters, which are only now being renewed. Niinistö said that Finland must first receive the F-35s ordered from the United States before the Hornets can be given up.
Niinistö stated that it will take years to get F-35 fighters and during that time the Hornets will become obsolete.
– But we like your fighters, Zelenskyi joked with a laugh.
– Yes, they are good. And I hope everyone knows that, Niinistö answered.
Zelenskyi stated that Finland’s neighbors know that the machines are good.
After the press conference, Zelensky’s visit continued with a working lunch, which was also attended by the Prime Minister Sanna Marin (sd.) and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (green).
In addition, Zelenskyi met the speaker of the parliament and the government’s formation Petteri Orpon (collect.). Orpo told reporters that he assured Zelensky that support for Ukraine will continue regardless of the government’s decision.
In the afternoon, there will be a Nordic-Ukraine summit hosted by Niinistö. In addition to Niinistö and Zelenskyi, the Prime Minister of Sweden will participate in the meeting Ulf KristerssonPrime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr StørePrime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir. Sanna Marin will not participate in the summit.
On the agenda of the summit’s discussions are Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the Nordic countries’ support for Ukraine, the development of Ukraine’s EU and NATO relations, and Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace.
In addition, Zelenskyi talks bilaterally with every prime minister, including Sanna Marini.
You can discuss the topic on Thu 4.5. until 11 p.m.