President of the Republic and Cabinet Committee discuss Ukraine situation

Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Finland continues to stress the utmost importance of immediate and full implementation of the Minsk documents. The ceasefire agreed on in Minsk, as early as 5 September, must be respected. Finland emphasises that, as part of the peace process, the entire Ukrainian-Russian border must be placed under monitoring. Russia has special responsibility in this context. Finland supports the Swiss Chairmanship's initiative to extend the OSCE border monitoring mission.

Finland has increased its support to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and is one of the largest supporters with a total contribution of EUR 2 million. In 2014, Finland has supported Ukraine with a total of almost EUR 6.4 million.

The OSCE measures in Ukraine received wide support at the meeting of the OSCE Foreign Ministers in Basel on 4 December. Russia's actions were condemned as severe violations of OSCE's principles in a number of speeches held at the meeting. Finland also condemned Russia's actions, including the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Federation and the destabilisation of Ukraine.

Finland is concerned about the situation in the separatist-controlled areas of Ukraine where the rule of law has in practice collapsed. The EU has expanded travel restrictions and asset freezes targeted at East-Ukrainian separatists. The European Council will discuss the situation in Ukraine on 18-19 December.

Finland has congratulated the new government of Ukraine and encourages the government to take prompt steps towards meeting the expectations of the people of Ukraine in implementing reforms and continuing the national dialogue. Along with other EU countries, Finland gives its full support to the government of Ukraine to this end.

In their meeting, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's participation in international crisis management and the participation of the Finnish Defence Forces in international exercises.

Finland will continue its active participation in military and civilian crisis management in operations led by the UN, EU and NATO. At present, Finland participates with approximately 500 soldiers in crisis management operations under the UN, OSCE and NATO. Finland's largest contribution is its 350 soldiers in Lebanon as part of the UN's UNIFIL operation. In Afghanistan, Finland will continue its participation with some 80 soldiers in the Resolute Support mission starting from the beginning of 2015 when the ISAF operation ends. Currently, Finland has seconded approximately 130 experts to civilian crisis management tasks. The focus is on EU operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. In addition, Ukraine has become a new priority.

Finland will continue to take part in international exercise and training cooperation and in rapid reaction forces on the basis of the same policy considerations and aims as before. Participation in training and exercise activities is an integral part of defence cooperation and defence capabilities development. As to the rapid reaction forces, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy decided that Finland will prepare its participation in 2016 in a EU battle group led by the United Kingdom.

The meeting between the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy also discussed closer defence cooperation between Finland and Sweden. The ongoing analysis on the prerequisites for tighter defence cooperation by the two countries' defence ministries and defence forces is progressing well and is expected to be ready on schedule by the end of January 2015.

Inquiries: Kirsti Kauppi, Director General, tel. +358 295 351 561; Vesa Vasara, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 295 351 723, Ministry for Foreign Affairs (situation in Ukraine) ; and Esa Pulkkinen, Director General, tel. +358 295 140 300, Ministry of Defence