In a Monday morning tweet, Marin announced that Navalny “must be released immediately” and suggested Russia investigate the circumstances of his poisoning. Foreign minister Pekka Haavisto reiterated this view, according to which Finland supports the EU position.
Marin is one of many world leaders who has condemned the arrest. United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was “deeply concerned” about the decision on Twitter, while the President of the European Council Charles Michel called the activity “impossible.”
EU Member States Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have called for “restrictive measures” against Russia. The Polish, German and French governments have also called for Navalny to be released.
In Finland, the responsibility for foreign policy and relations usually lies with the President. In this respect, Marin’s statement is strange because it does not seem to respect traditional roles in foreign policy leadership. It is still unclear if the president accepted Marini’s statement or the young prime minister rushed to post his opinion on Twitter before he heard the government and office of the president of the republic.
President Sauli Niinistö allegedly played a crucial role Navalny has the right to seek treatment in Germany.
Tahira Sequeira
Helsinki Times
Source: The Nordic Page