Secretary of State Peter Stenlund to international support for Ukraine conference in Kyiv

The Secretary of State of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Peter Stenlund, will represent Finland at the international support for Ukraine conference to be held in Kyiv on 28 April. The aim of the conference is to coordinate the international community's support to Ukraine and ensure information flow between the administration of Ukraine and providers of support.

During the crisis in 2014-2015, Finland has supported Ukraine with more than EUR 14 million. Finland's support includes development cooperation projects, funding to international organisations and expert assistance. Finland has targeted its assistance to humanitarian work, energy efficiency projects and efforts to promote good governance and democracy.

Finland's support to Ukraine includes EUR 2.5 million of humanitarian aid to the war-struck civilians in eastern Ukraine. Finland is also one of the biggest supporters of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine with its EUR 2 million of voluntary funding and seconded experts. The aim is to increase the number of Finnish monitors in the mission to 30 persons.

Ukraine needs the international community's assistance due to the problems created by the armed conflict, worsening economic situation and the country's much needed reforms. Almost 2 million civilians have fled the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Additional information: Mia Hurtta, Commercial Counsellor, Unit for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, tel. +358 295 351 124.