OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen Strengthens Sanctions Against Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen recently visited Kyiv, where she reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to bolstering sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet. Valtonen emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong position for Ukraine to achieve lasting peace while addressing both economic and environmental concerns.
During her meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Valtonen highlighted the significance of the sanctions strategy in curtailing Russia’s war revenue and preventing potential environmental disasters in the Baltic Sea. She stressed that beyond enforcing the oil price cap to reduce funding for Russia’s war machine, efforts are also underway to avert a major environmental accident, especially with the Baltic Sea freezing and substandard vessels operating in the waters.
Finnish Support for Ukraine Across Military, Political, and Economic Dimensions
Valtonen underscored Finland’s robust backing of Ukraine across various fronts, including military, political, and economic support. She declared Finland’s unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and emphasized the country’s commitment to stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary. Valtonen also mentioned Finland’s recent detention of a shadow fleet tanker and ongoing initiatives to enhance infrastructure protection in international maritime zones.
Moreover, Valtonen expressed Finland’s interest in leveraging Ukraine’s technological capabilities to safeguard agricultural infrastructure, recognizing the fantastic opportunities presented by Ukrainian expertise. President Zelenskyy appreciated Finland’s support, acknowledging the vital assistance provided since the conflict’s inception and emphasizing the crucial role of Finland’s support packages in Ukraine’s journey.
Valtonen’s Call for Negotiating from a Position of Strength
Valtonen reiterated Finland’s steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine and emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to negotiate from a position of strength to pave the way for a just and lasting peace. As the current OSCE Chair, she confirmed Ukraine’s status as a top priority for the organization, advocating for a peace-through-strength approach.
Valtonen’s visit to Kyiv provided her with a firsthand look at the impact of the conflict on civilians, as she visited the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, which had been targeted by Russian forces. She emphasized that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the rule-based international order is not an unstoppable force of nature, rallying for unity, determination, and courage to halt the aggression.
In conclusion, Elina Valtonen’s visit to Ukraine showcased Finland’s unwavering support for the country and underscored the importance of maintaining a strong position to achieve lasting peace in the region.
