According to Haavisto, Russia has not yet responded to the note related to the embassies’ bank accounts. According to him, the situation is monitored daily.
BRUSSELS Discussions on new sanctions against Russia have continued at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The foreign minister who represented the Finnish Ministry of Administration Pekka Haaviston (green), however, no consensus was found on the new sanctions.
The new sanctions package planned by the EU focuses on preventing the evasion of already imposed sanctions.
The aim is, among other things, to intervene in the abuse of transit rules within EU countries and the evasion of sanctions through third countries.
– We primarily focus on companies that do this. Ultimately, the question may also come from countries that are guilty of evading sanctions, says Haavisto.
According to Haavisto, the question of sanctioning third countries is difficult from the point of view of many EU countries.
– Different EU member states have a large number of commercial relations with the countries we are talking about, and the whole is very complex.
Ukraine’s listing rubs off on Hungary
Some EU countries also rub against Ukraine made list (you switch to another service)about companies supporting the war of aggression.
Hungary has demanded the removal of the Hungarian OTP bank from Ukraine’s list as a condition for granting military aid to Ukraine through the EU’s peace fund.
Linking arms aid and sanctions to national interests is unfortunate, according to Haavisto.
– The EU sometimes tends to get stuck and get stuck with its own problems.
At the same time, the EU has managed to agree on ten sanctions against Russia, Haavisto reminds.
The fighter coalition is getting stronger
Supporting Ukraine was also on display at the meeting of influential G7 countries in Hiroshima, Japan.
At the meeting, the United States expressed its support for sending modern F16 fighters to Ukraine.
– It would mean a significant increase in Ukraine’s air warfare capability if they were to get such machines, Haavisto says.
According to Haavisto, sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is related to a broader discussion about Ukraine’s future defense forces and possible future security guarantees.
– The best support for Ukraine is that the Ukrainian defense forces are operational in all conditions.
The situation of the embassies is being monitored
Haavisto also commented on the situation of Finland’s missions in Moscow and St. Petersburg, after Russia decided to freeze their bank accounts. According to him, the situation is monitored daily.
– Of course, our number one priority is that the staff’s situation is safe in all circumstances.
According to Haavisto, Finland has so far not received an answer to the note he left on the fourth of May.
– Russia’s response is awaited. At the same time, we are trying to make arrangements so that money traffic remains in order for us.