FM for ending Russia´s invasion before Ukraine peace talks

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Monday said that the goal, first and foremost, should be to have Russia end its invasion before talks to ensure a credible and lasting peace.

Speaking at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels she said if the aggressor does not lay down its arms, there won't be peace and there certainly won't be a lasting peace.

"If the aggressor does not lay down its arms, there won't be peace and there certainly won't be a lasting peace. The goal, first and foremost, should be to have Russia end its invasion. After that there can be talks on a credible and lasting peace," wrote Finland in EU (Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union) in a post on its social media platform X, quoting Valtonen as saying.

The minster in a post on her X also wrote that actions speak louder than words.

“The actions we have seen from Russia over the course of the past 20 years speak a language which is far from peace. We cannot let them hijack Trump’s genuine pursuit for peace,” wrote Valtonen, adding it was her doorstep comments at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

Meanwhile, Finland will contribute 16,5 million euros to support Syria in 2025.

“The Brussels IX Conference Standing with the Syrian people: supporting the immediate needs for a successful transition. Finland supports the Syrian political transition stressing inclusivity and peacefulness. Finland is contributing 16,5 million euros in 2025,” the Ministry for Foreign Affairs wrote in a post on its X on Monday.