KIEV Foreign minister Pekka Haavisto (green) is visiting Kyiv today as part of a larger European delegation. The foreign ministers of all three Baltic countries and four Nordic countries are present.
According to Haavisto, this is the largest ministerial delegation that has visited here during the war.
– We have seen the dramatic bombings and destruction of civilian targets in Ukraine in recent days. We want to show solidarity to Ukraine and tell about the contributions that Finland and other countries have made and are still making for Ukraine, Haavisto told .
Especially the Baltic countries have actively helped Ukraine during the war. Relative to its size, Estonia has supported Ukraine more than any other country. Haavisto sees that Finland is also doing a lot for Ukraine.
– This year, Finland has given about 300 million euros to Ukraine, of which 200 million is military support and 100 million is humanitarian.
Finland is committed to helping Ukraine in the energy crisis
Finland has received 44,000 Ukrainian refugees during the war. According to Haavisto, Finland undertakes to provide more protection to Ukrainians if needed.
– We fear the worst, that people will be left without heat and water if the electric pumps don’t work. It is anticipated here that more refugees will come to the Nordic countries, including Finland.
In recent weeks, Russia has been trying to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine is running out of spare parts to repair damaged power plants, so the country’s leadership has asked for help from EU countries, including Finland.
– Finland has already provided generators through the EU rescue service coordination. We are currently investigating whether there are parts for the destroyed power plants in Finland that can be used and utilized here.
The challenge is the differences in electricity systems in Ukraine and Europe, but according to Haavisto, generators for temporary use and temporary accommodation can be provided in any case.
Finland involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine
According to Haavisto, the reconstruction of Ukraine is an excellent opportunity for Finnish know-how.
– Renovating energy systems, renovating buildings, temporary housing – all of this is what Finland knows how to do, Haavisto lists.
The Finnish education system can also be useful for Ukraine.
– Ukraine has requested special help for education and the reconstruction of the education sector. Ukrainians seem to hope that even during this crisis, reconstruction will begin. So we wouldn’t wait until the war ends sometime.
NATO and the new sanctions package are also on the agenda
According to the foreign minister, Finland’s NATO membership would also bring concrete benefits to Ukraine.
– Ukraine strongly supports countries like Finland and Sweden being part of NATO. Considering the security of Europe as a whole, it is important that NATO expands and can accept new members.
The accession process of Finland and Sweden has taken longer than expected, the minister states.
– Now we have to wait for the decisions of Hungary and Turkey. I was in contact with the Hungarian Foreign Minister last week Peter Szijjartoon that the Turkish Foreign Minister to Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. Both have had their own internal political reasons for postponing these decisions.
After Kyiv, Haavisto continues to the meeting of the foreign ministers of the NATO countries, where Finland and Sweden are for the first time at the level of foreign ministers. The meeting will be held in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Ukraine has also hoped that the EU’s ninth sanctions package would become effective and robust.
– Ukraine appreciates that the EU has been at the forefront of aid and sanctions issues. Finland has been in favor of strong sanctions. We are also fine with energy sanctions, we are fine with tightening visas. More unified, stronger sanctions against Russia in this situation are justified.
“A little light at the end of the tunnel”
Haavisto regrets that there is almost no room left for diplomacy in this war.
– Sometimes when you look at this crisis, you feel that diplomacy is dead, when there are very few of these connections.
However, the foreign minister sees hope in the continuation of the grain export agreement, the exchange of prisoners and the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant discussions that the path of diplomacy could still be followed.
– This gives a little light at the end of the tunnel. There are contacts, and hopefully trust can somehow be built so that one day we can go to the negotiation table.
However, the conditions and demands set by Ukraine regarding the negotiations must be given full support, Haavisto points out.
You can discuss the topic on 29.11. until 11 p.m.