Russian invasion of Ukraine

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 in 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 Finnish businesses involved in trade with Russia. Before the new sanctions were imposed, there were more than 2,000 Finnish companies engaging in trade with Russia. Their operations are also affected by increased unpredictability and the sharp decline in the Russian economy brought on by the sanctions. Extensive sanctions imposed on the financial sector have slowed payment transactions between Finland and Russia.

• Sanctions | Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Russia: sanctions (in Finnish) | Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Belarus: sanctions (in Finnish) | Ministry for Foreign Affairs

• EU restrictive measures in response to the crisis in Ukraine
• Official Journal of the European Union

• Impact on Finnish companies | Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
• Impacts on Finland’s economy and financial system | Ministry of Finance
• Effects of the crisis on the economy of Finland and the euro area | Bank of Finland
• Export sanctions and their effects on businesses and private individuals | Finnish Customs

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. Finland is also providing material assistance to Ukraine through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. In addition, Finland has been providing 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 the core funding granted to UN actors.

• Civilian assistance sent from Finland to Ukraine and neighbouring regions | Ministry of the Interior
• Finland’s support to Ukraine | Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Russian attack on Ukraine | Ministry of Defence

More than five million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country. Some of those fleeing the war in Ukraine have come to Finland, and by the beginning of August, more than 35,000 people had applied for temporary protection. A significant number are children and their mothers.

Many people who have fled Ukraine hope to be able to return home soon and are therefore staying in neighbouring areas. The number of people arriving in Finland will continue to rise, especially if the neighbouring countries are no longer able to receive refugees.
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.

At the beginning of August, there were 77 reception centres, branch locations and service points for people in private accommodation in Finland, along with eight units for minors. Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there were 20 reception centres and seven units for minors.

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.

Those granted temporary protection have similar rights to those of asylum seekers and they are entitled to reception services. However, people fleeing Ukraine have the right to work and study in Finland without delay or restrictions once they have been granted temporary protection.

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

Municipalities are encouraged to provide early childhood education and care for all children within the scope of temporary protection. Education for school-age children is provided in the form of pre-primary or basic education, or as preparatory instruction for basic education intended for immigrants, for example. Under the Basic Education Act, pupils have the right to receive education, guidance and sufficient support for learning and school attendance as soon as the need for support is observed. Once immigrants have been granted a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection, they may study in Finland without any limitations.

People are free to apply for vocational education and training and general upper secondary education, and those within the scope of temporary protection can also apply on the same terms as Finnish citizens.

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.

• 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. 

Energy

Finland has always had a variety of energy sources. Renewable forms of energy production have already surpassed the use of energy from fossil fuels. Although statistics indicate that a great deal of energy has been imported to Finland from Russia, the energy market is global. The aim of the Government’s energy policy is to end Finland’s dependency on energy imports.

Since the start of the war, the import of wood chips, gas and electricity from Russia has been completely suspended. Coal imports continue to decrease, and imports of crude oil have largely been replaced by imports from other parts of the world.

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

The situation in Ukraine does not affect the radiation situation in Finland, nor can any accident or damage related to radioactive materials or nuclear power plants in Ukraine cause a situation where people in Finland need to be protected from radiation. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority is monitoring the situation in Ukraine from the perspective of nuclear and radiation safety.

• Information on energy and security of supply | Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
• Topical questions and answers about security of supply | National Emergency Supply Agency
• National Cyber Security Centre
• Radiation situation in Ukraine | Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Finland
• Impact of the situation in Ukraine on the Finnish Defence Forces (available in Finnish and Swedish)

Private individuals can help by making donations to aid organisations. 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. However, it is important to 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 Finnish Red Cross has created a national information service to answer questions about ways to help Ukrainians and to collect information about the help available.

It is important to be prepared for incidents and emergencies. Households should be prepared to cope independently for at least three days should an incident occur. You should always have enough food and medicines at home to last at least three days. It is also important to know the basics of preparedness: for example, where can you find reliable information during an incident, and how can you manage in a home where the heating no longer works?

• Helping Ukrainians | Ministry of the Interior
• Submit preliminary passenger information about transport of Ukrainians to Finland | Finnish Immigration Service
• FAQ – Russian invasion of Ukraine: donations and other tax-related matters | Finnish Tax Administration
• Inform us of the help you offer | Finnish Red Cross
• Home preparedness | 72 hours

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. In addition to the home, early childhood education and care providers, schools and educational institutions play a very important role in restoring the sense of security among children and young people.

Tips for discussing the situation with children and young people:

• What can you do if talk of war worries you? I MIELI Mental Health Finland
• Discussing the Russian attack on Ukraine with children and young people in education | Finnish National Agency for Education

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)