Finland recognizes Holodomor as genocide of Ukrainians

Finland officially acknowledged the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a genocide against the Ukrainian people. The declaration came from Jussi Halla-aho, the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland, during his visit to Kyiv while addressing the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

“Our parliament, unlike many others, has never issued declarations about historical events. We don’t even have a procedure for that. But last week, the heads of all nine parliamentary factions, together with the vast majority of members of the, signed a joint statement stating that there are reasons to consider the Holodomor genocide of the Ukrainian people committed by the Soviet authorities, and it should be called such – that is, genocide. I handed this document to the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Mr. Stefanchuk, yesterday… Let time heal wounds, life will win. Glory to Ukraine!”  the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland said. Notably, Jussi Halla-aho delivered his speech in Ukrainian.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the bombing of Ukrainian cities awakened Finnish citizens with painful memories of their own historical experience with Russia during the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939–1940.

“The mentality and character of the Russian state have not changed. As then, as now, it does not respect international law or its obligations. It does not value life – neither its own nor that of others. It believes it has a veto over its neighbors’ elections, a veto over their very existence. Russia respects and understands power. Russian imperialism must be answered with force,” Halla-aho said.

Although on the first days of the full-scale invasion, few in the West believed that Ukraine could stand up to Russia, the Ukrainians persevered. With their heroic struggle, the Ukrainians not only earned the respect of the entire civilized world but also gave them the courage to act, the speaker of the Parliament of Finland emphasized.

“Decisions on aid are made too slowly, but they are made. As of today, Finland has sent 20 packages of military aid to Ukraine – and we will support you as long as necessary,” Halla-aho emphasized.

On November 23, over 50 UN member states and the delegation of the European Union signed a declaration initiated by Ukraine to mark the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932-1933, the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN reported.