Russian invasion of Ukraine
On Thursday 24 February, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Finland firmly supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, self-determination and territorial integrity.
Finland’s foreign policy leadership is closely monitoring Russia’s actions and the security situation in Europe. Finland will respond to Russia’s actions as part of the European Union.
The purpose of sanctions is, as part of other foreign policy measures, to influence the policies or actions of a state or group when such policies or actions are considered a threat to international peace and security. These types of actions can include the dissemination of weapons of mass destruction, international terrorism or extensive human rights violations. The range of restrictive measures includes export and import restrictions, financial sanctions and travel restrictions.
The EU has imposed and gradually expanded sanctions against Russia in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine since March 2014. On 24 February, Russia began a military invasion of Ukraine in breach of the UN Charter and international law. The European Union has strongly condemned Russia’s invasion and has imposed several packages of sanctions against Russia. The sanctions have been coordinated in close cooperation with partners.
Sanctions can be imposed on individuals, businesses and various sectors.
Personal sanctions involve freezing of assets. Sanctioned individuals are also subject to travel and transit restrictions.
Export and import bans have been imposed extensively on the energy, defence, aviation and transport sectors, among others. A number of sanctions have also been imposed on the financial sector. The sanction packages also include other measures, such as the ban on Russian flights in EU airspace.
As the territory of Belarus has been used for the invasion of Ukraine, Belarus is considered a party to the invasion. For this reason, the sanctions imposed on the Russian financial sector have been extended to also apply to Belarus, meaning that Russia cannot circumvent the sanctions by going through Belarus. Other sanctions have also been previously imposed on Belarus.
Impact of the sanctions on Finland
The sanctions have a particular impact on Finns involved in trade with Russia. Before the new sanctions were imposed, there were more than 2,000 Finnish companies engaging in trade with Russia. The extensive sanctions imposed on the financial sector will also slow payment transactions between Finland and Russia.
Following the launch of Russia’s military attack, Ukraine has requested support and assistance from the EU and NATO Member States.
Finland has granted humanitarian assistance in response to the acute distress and is helping to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience in the midst of the war through development cooperation. In addition to additional funding for development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, Finland has sent protective military equipment and arms assistance to Ukraine.
Additional funding has been channelled for humanitarian aid through the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Finnish humanitarian assistance delivered via the ICRC is being used to help Ukrainians in need of food, medicines and medical supplies, for example. Those who have fled their homes are receiving assistance from the UNHCR, which provides emergency accommodation, protective equipment, food and medicines.
Finland’s humanitarian assistance is also reaching Ukraine through EU and through the core funding granted to UN actors.
Press releases and news
- Finland sends more defence materiel assistance to Ukraine | Ministry of Defence 5 May 2022
- Increase in Finland’s development cooperation funding to Ukraine | Ministry for Foreign Affairs 28 April 2022
- Finland to provide more defence materiel assistance to Ukraine | 18 April 2022
- Finland sends additional material assistance to Ukraine | Ministry of the Interior 5 April 2022
- Finland delivers more defence materiel to Ukraine | Ministry of Defence 24 March 2022
- Finland responds to Ukraine’s need for humanitarian assistance | Ministry for Foreign Affairs news item 8 March 2022
- Finland to send arms assistance to Ukraine | Ministry of Defence 28 February 2022
- Finland sends additional aid to Ukraine | 27 February 2022
- Finland grants additional support to Ukraine | Ministry for Foreign Affairs 25 February 2022
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 5 million Ukrainian people have already been forced to flee their country. In the first stage, people will primarily be migrating to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries and to countries with Ukrainian populations. There are approximately 7,200 Ukrainians permanently residing in Finland, and the role of Ukrainian seasonal workers has been important in Finland in recent years.
If necessary, Finland is prepared both to receive a large number of migrants and to deal with long-term migration pressure. The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a cross-sectoral working group to coordinate migration to Finland.
Temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine
People fleeing the war in Ukraine are entitled to temporary protection in the EU. Granting temporary protection makes it possible to provide protection to a limited group of people through a swift process that is lighter than the asylum procedure. Applications for temporary protection are submitted to the police or border authorities.
Ukrainians do not need to apply for protection immediately upon arrival in the EU, because they can enter the Schengen area with a biometric passport visa-free and move freely within the EU for three months.
Support for studies
The Ministry of Education and Culture will support Ukrainians in their studies and diversify the range of studies available to them, and will provide any guidance and counselling services deemed necessary.
Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences will open up new study opportunities to help Ukrainians entering the country. Students will be given opportunities to start or continue their studies, and researchers will be offered the opportunity to continue their research work in Finland.
The Finnish National Agency for Education offers materials to support schools, educational institutions and early childhood education and care providers during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The material contains information on a variety of important topics, including how to support pupils and students who have fled Ukraine and how to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in education and training.
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the situation in Ukraine | Finnish Immigration Service
- Impact of the war in Ukraine to the border traffic | The Finnish Border Guard
- Information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine | EU
- Temporary protection for those fleeing Ukraine | Finnish Immigration Service
- Temporary protection for people fleeing from Ukraine | Ministry of the Interior
- Instructions for people receiving temporary protection | Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine | Ministry of Education and Culture
- Education, international programmes and the Russian attack on Ukraine | Finnish National Agency for Education
- Study and research opportunities for those fleeing Ukraine | Study in Finland
- Information on early childhood education and care and school education in Ukrainian | Ministry of Education and Culture
Finland is well prepared for different kinds of crises and incidents. The Government and the authorities are monitoring the current situation and assessing how it will evolve. Finland is not currently under threat.
The basic level of security of supply in Finland is good, and the Russian invasion in Ukraine has no immediate impact on security of supply. Finland is less dependent on energy produced in Russia than many countries in Central and Southern Europe. Finland’s food supply largely comes from domestic raw materials. The National Emergency Supply Agency and businesses critical for security of supply monitor the situation regularly and systematically.
Cyber security
Developments in the cyber situation in Ukraine are being closely monitored both in Finland and at the EU level. In Finland, the National Cyber Security Centre of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency is responsible for producing and maintaining situational awareness concerning cybersecurity. The Centre works in close cooperation with the police and the Finnish Defence Forces to stop cyber threats.
In addition to the authorities, information security professionals in businesses and organisations in Finland work to combat cyber threats.
Radiation situation in Finland
The situation in Ukraine has no impact on the radiation situation in Finland. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority is monitoring the situation in Ukraine from the perspective of nuclear and radiation safety.
The best way to help private individuals is to donate money to humanitarian organisations who are able to deliver the assistance in a centralised manner. Organisations have extensive experience of conflict and crisis situations, which means that they have the capacity to ensure free passage of relief to destinations in the very challenging conditions in Ukraine.
Check the fundraiser’s background if you donate money. This will ensure that your donation goes to those who need it.
Many private individuals and operators have expressed their intention of bringing to Finland people who have fled Ukraine because of the Russian attack. It is admirable and understandable that you want to help. However, you should bear in mind that people fleeing conflict are often in need of other support as well. This is especially important to remember when helping children. Humanitarian organisations and the authorities have long experience in helping children in crises.
Please notify the Finnish Immigration Service if you are bringing Ukrainians to Finland.
The prolonged uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine is testing people’s ability to cope. It is wise to discuss your thoughts and feelings with family and friends and at your workplace or school. Everyone reacts to crises in their own way. It is important to not show hatred or hostility towards other people, such as Russians living in Finland.
How do I talk about the situation with children?
It is up to adults to create a sense of calm and security for children, even if you are feeling anxious. Children also easily pick up on adults’ emotions.
Tips for discussing the situation with children and young people:
- Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (in Finnish and Swedish)
- What can you do if talk of war worries you? I MIELI Mental Health Finland
- Instructions for early childhood education and care, schools and educational institutions on how to process the Ukraine crisis with children and young people I Finnish National Agency for Education 6 March 2022
Where can I find someone to talk to?
If you are anxious, depressed or have other symptoms related to stress and anxiety, these services are here to help on a low-threshold basis:
- MIELI Mental Health Finland Crisis Helpline, available around the clock at 09 2525 0111
- National Sekasin chat (in Finnish) service for 12–29-year-olds, open 9.00–midnight on weekdays and 15.00–midnight on weekends
- Mannerheim League for Child Welfare Child and Youth Helpline, tel. 116 111, open Monday–Friday at 14.00–20.00 and Saturday–Sunday at 17.00–20.00
- MLL YouthNet (in Finnish and Swedish)
- Solmussa chat service (in Finnish) for adults, open Monday–Thursday at 15.00–19.00, and other Tukinet services (in Finnish)