President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in Ukraine

Government Communications Department
Press release 182/2014
7.5.2014

On Wednesday 7 May 2014, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in Ukraine.

The situation in Ukraine continues to be regrettably unstable. Finland considers the development of the past few days as highly alarming. Demonstrations and acts of violence continue in eastern Ukraine and the situation in Odessa is very tense. Finland emphasises that all parties involved must refrain from rhetoric and measures which would escalate the crisis further.  Also Russia should use its influence on separatist groups which are active in different areas of the country to calm the situation. At the same time Finland emphasises the need for a political dialogue and stresses the urgency to implement the declaration adopted in Geneva.

Public unrest has increased uncertainty before the presidential election scheduled for 25 May. Finland considers the presidential election, and later the parliamentary elections, highly important to stabilise Ukraine and to succeed in securing national dialogue. The role of the OSCE is key both in monitoring the situation and the election process. The EU supports the preparatory work for the elections in cooperation with the OSCE and the Council of Europe. Finland has assigned three election observers on a long-term basis through the OSCE to monitor the elections and will be sending 21 observers on a short-term basis.

In addition, the Committee discussed the participation of the Defence Forces in multinational training and exercises cooperation. 

Inquiries: Terhi Hakala, Director-General, tel. 0295 351 300, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Director-General Esa Pulkkinen, tel. 0295 140 300, the Ministry of Defence