Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto's keynote address at the Fletcher School Commencement May 21, 2023.

The Council of Europe has long been monitoring Russia’s alarming situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. For many years, the Council tried to exert influence over Russia by keeping the country as a Member and within the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). However, Russia launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 was the last straw, and the Council decided to expel Russia only three weeks later. Now, the Council of Europe is once again showing its ability and political will to support Ukraine.

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press release 18/2023 - 12 May 2023 President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö will participate in the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik on 16–17 May 2023.