Ukraine and Finland have started preparing the 16th defense package crucial for Ukraine's defense – Volodymyr Zelenskyy after meeting with Sauli Niinistö in Helsinki
During his official visit to the Republic of Finland, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Finland Sauli Niinistö.
The Head of State expressed gratitude to Sauli Niinistö for the invitation to visit Helsinki.
"I feel that this visit will be very productive. Our delegation will return home with what our soldiers and all those who work for our defense are waiting for. When we strengthen our defense, when we restore our borders, we make the borders of all our partners and, of course, Finland safer and stronger," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a press conference following talks with Sauli Niinistö in Helsinki.
“I feel this visit will be very productive. Our delegation will come back home with what our soldiers and all who work for our defense are expecting. When we are strengthening our lines of defense, when we are restoring our borders, we are making safer and stronger the borders of all our partners and, of course, Finland,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a conversation with media representatives following talks with Sauli Niinistö in Helsinki.
According to the President of Ukraine, despite the fact that the aggressor state is located only a few hundred kilometers from the capital of Finland, thanks to the joint security efforts of Ukraine and its partners, the aggressor will never reach Helsinki.
“I want to express on behalf of all Ukrainians to all Finnish people our admiration with your courage. In Ukraine, almost every book store sells the books about your war for freedom or the memoirs of your national hero – Marshal Mannerheim. It speaks volumes,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to him, defense against Russian aggression and defense issues are the main topics of today's talks.
“Finland consistently supports our freedom, territorial integrity and our sovereignty, and all the principles of international law on which peaceful coexistence between nations depends. I am grateful for fifteen packages of military aid crucial for us. Today, we have agreed to speed up the delivery of the fifteenth package, and have begun the preparation of the next – sixteenth defense package, which is so important for us,” the President noted.
In addition, according to the Head of State, Finland and Sauli Niinistö personally support Ukraine's efforts aimed at achieving a lasting and just peace for the entire Ukrainian people.
“It is on this basis that we cooperate to implement our Peace Formula. I thank you, Mister President, both for your personal contribution to strengthening the global coalition working to stop Russian aggression, and for your help in implementing the points of the Peace Formula,” the President of Ukraine stressed.
He also noted Finland's assistance in overcoming the consequences of Russian missile attacks on Ukraine's energy sector.
“I thank the business of Finland for the assistance coordinated with the Finnish Government and the timely delivery to Ukraine of the energy equipment we needed,” the Head of State emphasized.
The parties also discussed cooperation in European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
“I thank Mr. President for expressing his support for Ukraine. Later we shall discuss the preparation of the next EU sanctions package against Russia for the terror, as well as compliance with existing sanctions, which Russia is constantly trying to evade. All of us should remember that the harder we put pressure on the aggressor, the faster the aggression will end,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
For his part, Sauli Niinistö assured that Finland would continue to support Ukraine.
"The 15th aid package is already being prepared, and I am absolutely sure that there will be a 16th one," he said.
According to Sauli Niinistö, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has raised global security issues for countries and nations that are not directly related to the war. In particular, there is a competition for the souls of nations, so it is very important to clearly and correctly name what is happening in the world.
In the context of implementing the Ukrainian Peace Formula and holding a peace summit, the President of Finland noted that his country supports the idea of a just peace for Ukraine.