Finland is ready to assist Ukraine in establishing peace in the east of the country, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has said.
“We know that the people of Ukraine, many Ukrainians have suffered in recent times. We in Finland, in turn, want to do everything we can to ensure peace could be established here,” he said in a joint statement with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv on Saturday.
“Finland is open to offer any assistance and any help you may need. We are also ready to provide good services if necessary,” he said.
Niinisto noted the need for a speedy settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
“After the conversations that I had had yesterday and today, I am increasingly convinced that now it’s the time to resolve issues. There has been no such moment for a long time, but it seems that now such a moment is coming,” he said.
He also called “a small step forward” a common understanding on a humanitarian column. He said that tomorrow’s meeting of the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia in Berlin would be another step forward. He expressed hope that these measures would bring peace.
Poroshenko, in turn, thanked Niinisto for his consistent support of Ukraine.
“The Finnish president visited as a representative of the European Union. We discussed important issues of coordination of our actions ahead of the EU summit on [August] 30, with Ukrainian issues put on its agenda,” he said.
He said that the sides had also discussed a plan for the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU and the benefits for Ukraine from a deep and comprehensive free trade area with the EU. They also considered constitutional reform and upcoming parliamentary elections.
Poroshenko thanked Niinisto for the invitation to visit Finland after the establishment of peace in Ukraine.
Niinisto, in turn, said: “I hope that your visit to Finland will be made sooner than anyone can think now.”
As reported, the Finnish president held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on August 15.
