Finland opposes forcing Ukraine into neutrality status

Imposing neutrality on Ukraine, similar to Finland’s situation after its war with the Soviet Union in the 1940s, will not help peacefully resolve the crisis with Russia, said Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, Reuters reports.

“I’m against it (Finlandisation), yes. Let’s face it, Ukraine was neutral before they were attacked by Russia,” Valtonen stated.

Finland gained independence from the tsarist Russia Empire in 1917 and successfully defended itself against the Soviet invasion in 1939. Following the Winter War of 1939-1940, Finland ceded a sliver of territory and adopted a policy of Finlandization, maintaining neutrality and fostering good relations with the USSR to safeguard its independence.

“It’s definitely not something I would be imposing on Ukraine. Definitely not as a first alternative,” Valtonen emphasized.

She also expressed doubts about trusting Russia, even if it agrees to a peace settlement with Ukraine. Valtonen stressed that pressuring Ukraine to accept terms against its will would undermine the international system.

“I really want to avoid a situation where any European country, or the United States for that matter, starts negotiating over the heads of Ukraine,” she said. “A larger power can not just grab territory, but also essentially weaken the sovereignty of another nation.”

Earlier, Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the only path to peace is the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and the restoration of Ukraine’s borders. He added that all demands for ending the war must be directed at Moscow alone.