Air defense, defense co-production, and Ukraine's path to the EU and NATO: meeting between the President of Ukraine and the President of Finland

3 April 2024 - 15:29

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb in Kyiv.
The Head of State noted that it was the first visit of the new President of Finland to Ukraine. He was accompanied by Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Finland and the entire Finnish people for supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia.

"Today, during the talks with Mr. President, we focused on security issues – everything that will save thousands of lives.

Ukraine is grateful to Finland that during such a war your country and your entire society did not hesitate to support our defense, the defense of our state and our people," he said.

During the meeting, the leaders signed a bilateral security agreement.

The agreement enshrines cooperation between Ukraine and Finland for 10 years.
This document also demonstrates Finland's support for Ukraine on its path to EU and NATO membership.

"We ourselves should never forget how the path to the EU and NATO was paved. For Ukraine, it means victory. And victory means the defeat of Russia and Putin. And we want to play a role in this," stated Alexander Stubb.

The parties also discussed defense co-production and experience in security solutions for the construction of shelters.

The President of Ukraine emphasized Finland's principled approach to sanctions against Russia for its aggressive war.

"The greater the restrictions to Russia's potential for aggression, the more robust the security of all the states neighboring Russia will be," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President of Ukraine noted that work was underway with Finland and many other partners to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula and prepare for the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland.

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