Finnish Foreign Minister: Russia needs to be isolatedEU foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels discussed how to increase the effectiveness of anti-Russian sanctions and what new restrictions will be, Talouselämä reports.
At this meeting, they also decided that Moscow "needs to be isolated."
Saara Koho (Saara Koho)EU foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in Ukraine at a meeting in Brussels.
The Ministers are glad that Ukraine was able to regain control of the Kherson territories belonging to it. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba took part in the meeting remotely.
"He described first of all the economic situation in Ukraine. It is necessary to provide large—scale assistance so that the country remains afloat financially," Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said after the meeting.
The foreign Ministers also discussed how to increase the effectiveness of EU anti-Russian sanctions and introduce new ones.
"Finland strongly supported the preparation of the ninth package of sanctions. At the same time, we reported that we are preparing the tenth package of military assistance, which will probably be sent in the near future," Haavisto said.
According to him, the new sanctions package was approved by the majority of foreign ministers. Many countries have proposed certain measures that can be implemented as part of a new package of sanctions.
"Finland, for its part, has already decided to close the border for Russian tourists. We think that this measure will be well suited as part of the new sanctions package."
According to Haavisto, sanctions related to energy carriers have become a difficult step.
"Countries that believe that sanctions may harm their energy supply are asking whether they will be guaranteed the availability of energy under any circumstances."
Haavisto said that positive news about the energy situation in the EU has recently appeared. The gas storage facilities are 95% full.
"This winter no longer seems insurmountable."
The Foreign Ministers approved the new basic principles in EU-Russia relations. The first group of such principles was adopted by the European Union after the Crimea came under Russian control.
According to the new principles, Russia should be isolated with the help of sanctions and held accountable for committing war crimes.
How will the explosion in Turkey affect the process of Finland's accession to NATO?
On November 13, an explosion occurred in the center of Istanbul.
The explosion on a busy street killed at least six people — and injured several dozen. Turkey considers the incident a terrorist attack.
The Office of the President of Finland tweeted on Sunday that Sauli Niinisto conveyed his condolences to Recep Erdogan in connection with the incident in Istanbul.
Haavisto said he contacted Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday and expressed his condolences to him.
"Of course, it was a big shock for the whole country. There were both dead and many wounded. The perpetrators should be identified in the near future."
Haavisto also met with Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström in Brussels.
"I do not think that this will somehow affect the process of Turkey's ratification of the accession of our two countries to the alliance - but Turkey will certainly emphasize the importance of its argument about terrorism even more. We, in turn, stated that the Kurdistan Workers' Party is a terrorist organization, condemned both in Finland and in the EU as a whole."
The Kurdistan Workers' Party is an organization supporting Kurdish self—government, founded in 1978. It is included in the list of terrorist organizations compiled by the EU.
evidence
New EU principles regarding Russia1) Isolation of Russia through sanctions
2) Bringing Russia to justice for war crimes
3) Support for EU neighboring countries
4) Cooperation with partners to strengthen the international system
5) Improving the sustainability of the EU
6) Support for Russian civil society, human rights defenders and independent media
