Prime Minister Marin attends donors’ conference for Ukraine in Warsaw

Prime Minister Sanna Marin represented Finland at an international donors’ conference for Ukraine in Warsaw on Thursday 5 May. In connection with the meeting, Prime Minister Marin also had a bilateral meeting with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The high-level international conference was co-hosted by Poland and Sweden in cooperation with the EU and the UN. The purpose of the event was to mobilise financial assistance to cover Ukraine’s immediate needs, to discuss the country’s long-term assistance and to build up faith in the future. 

In her speech at the conference, Prime Minister Marin condemned Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and stated that Finland was prepared to tighten sanctions against Russia. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to achieve a robust ceasefire in order to evacuate people and ensure that aid can reach its destination.

“More and more people have lost their homes. We must do our utmost to protect vulnerable groups from falling victim to abuse and trafficking. Finland is working in close cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities to transfer a group of disabled persons and unaccompanied minors directly from Ukraine to Finland,” Prime Minister Marin said at the conference. 

Finland has provided Ukraine with material and military assistance. A further EUR 700 million has also been allocated to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Finland.

“We are also preparing a new decision on humanitarian assistance and a contribution to assist with reconstruction. The contribution would be around EUR 70 million. Finland has also made a decision today on new defence materiel assistance to Ukraine,” Prime Minister Marin said.

“Ukraine is fighting for Europe and you will be the winners of this war. Our thoughts are with you. Our actions are for the future of Ukraine and its brave people. Finland is ready to do its part,” the Prime Minister concluded.

Before the conference, Prime Minister Marin had a bilateral meeting with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and thanked him for Poland’s leadership and practical support in helping Ukraine. The meeting focused on changes in the security situation in Europe as a result of the Russian invasion. Finland and Poland are united by their shared security environment in the Baltic Sea region and their close cooperation in the EU, through Finland’s NATO partnership, and bilaterally. The discussion focused in particular on Finland’s options for strengthening its security and the possibility of applying for NATO membership. They also discussed further sanctions against Russia, ending Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, and several topical EU issues.

Inquiries: Lauri Voionmaa, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. +358 50 421 0422 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office