"Russia will not win war, the issue of Ukrainians is our issue" - Prime Minister of Finland

Yle reports with reference to the statement of Finland's Prime Minister.

"We defended our values ​​together and made necessary decisions from our own starting positions. I hope that we as a nation can be proud of this," Marin said.

According to her, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine forced the Finns to decide on Finland's position in a new situation. By February 24, less than a third of Finns supported NATO membership in polls, but after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, most people immediately supported membership.  Marin emphasizeв that the decision regarding NATO was made with strong popular support and unanimity of the parliament.

"We must build our future as NATO members on such unanimity. With our decision, we strengthened Finland's position and expanded its room for manoeuvre in a situation where it threatened to become narrower and even dangerous," Finland's Prime Minister emphasized.

In addition, in Sanna Marin's New Year's greeting, there was a mention of further assistance to Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor state.

"We will continue to be required to show strength and courage. We will help as long as Ukrainians need our help. The issue of Ukrainians is our issue," she stressed.

According to Marin, Russia will not win war, and "world in which non-democratic superpowers subjugate other states, regardless of the UN Charter and regardless of suffering, must be left behind once and for all."

At the same time, the Prime Minister of Finland advocated European independence in matters of energy supply and security, adding that Finland is interested in strengthening Europe, "especially when the world needs defenders of human rights, equality and cooperation."