Three years of reporting, funded by our readers — become a member now and help us prepare for 2025.
Goal: 1,000 new members for our birthday. Gift a membership to your friend and help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Become a member Gift membership
Skip to content
Edit post

Finnish president visits Kyiv, meets Zelensky on Jan. 24

by The Kyiv Independent news desk January 24, 2023 4:54 PM 1 min read
The meeting of Finland's President Sauli Niinisto and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Jan. 24. Photo: Zelensky's office.
This audio is created with AI assistance

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Jan. 24.

According to Zelensky's office, the two presidents discussed defense assistance and the supply of Western tanks to Ukraine, the preparation of the 10th package of EU sanctions against Russia, and Finland's involvement in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

Zelensky informed his Finnish counterpart about the current situation at the front, Russia's plans for the near future, and Ukraine's needs on the battlefield, the report reads.

"Today, we talked about the creation of a separate platform to strengthen Ukraine with armored vehicles, including tanks. I am very glad that Finland will take its place there," said Zelensky at a news conference after the meeting. It is unclear yet in what format Finland would take part in this coalition.

"Taking one tank here, one is not enough. There must be a powerful unit in Europe. We are discussing the possibility of creating such a unit, and we are considering various options for Finland's participation," said the Finnish president.

The two leaders also talked about the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, the protection of the country's energy industry, bilateral cooperation in European structures, and regional security issues.

The Finnish president has also visited Borodianka and Bucha, towns in Kyiv Oblast devastated by Russia's war in March. "The atrocities committed here must not go unpunished," said Niinisto.

"I remain deeply impressed by the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people, soldiers and civilians alike. It will be remembered for generations to come," Niinisto wrote on Twitter.

On Jan. 20, Finland announced it would provide Ukraine with the largest aid package up to date, worth more than 400 million euros, which will include heavy artillery and munition.

According to the Finnish government, the combined cost of all the aid that Finland has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war amounts to 590 million euros.

Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. Thanks to our community we've been able to keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone. For our third birthday, we're looking for 1,000 new members to help fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Three years. Millions of readers. All thanks to 12,000 supporters.
It’s thanks to readers like you that we can celebrate another birthday this November. We’re looking for another 1,000 members to help fund our mission, keep our journalism accessible for all, and prepare for whatever 2025 might bring. Consider gifting a membership today or help us spread the word.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Become a member Gift membership
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

3:44 PM

Russian ICBM strike would be 'clear escalation,' EU says.

"While we're assessing the full facts, it's obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of (Russian President Vladimir Putin," EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said, according to AFP.
1:40 PM

Merkel describes Trump as 'fascinated by Putin' in her memoir.

"(Donald Trump) saw everything from the point of view of a property developer, which is what he was before he came into politics. Every plot of land could only be sold once, and if he didn't get it, someone else would," Angela Merkel says in her memoir.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.