Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Pekka Haavisto (Green) has said that recent meetings between German and Russian leaders show that continuing tensions in Ukraine could continue to be resolved through diplomatic means.
The security situation in the region remains tense, and Western countries have expressed concern about the impending attack on Ukraine as Russia continues to assemble troops at the border.
Haavisto and the Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) spoke at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
"We are approaching this situation day by day, and Wednesday was supposed to be the day Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine, according to our inquiries. If it doesn’t start today, that day is a victory for diplomacy. Each of these days is important. It gives us time to try to find a solution," Haavisto told Yle.
"At the same time, we are closely following the Russian forces on the Ukrainian border. It is still too early to comment. It would certainly be a matter of several days if the troops were withdrawn. I currently have no information on the same" he added.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin In Moscow on Tuesday. According to Haavisto, Scholz’s trip to Moscow and his visit to Kiev on Monday were critical and brought new information and perspectives to the situation.
"It seems that Russia attaches importance to maintaining diplomatic relations with the United States. Among European leaders, Putin has met with Scholz and (President of France Emmanuel) Macron. The discussions have, of course, been difficult, but they have taken place. I believe that diplomacy will prevail for a few more days," Haavisto stated.
Haavisto: Normandy Format could help solve the crisis
According to Haavisto, the actions of Germany and France are part of an attempt to revive the Normandy Format, or Normandy Contact Group.
The term relates to negotiations between representatives of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine in 2014 as a way to end the Donbas war in Ukraine.
Haavisto believes that the Normandy talks can play a key role in resolving the current conflict. Four countries held a meeting to discuss the situation in Paris on 26 January 2022.
"In the search for a solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine in particular, an agreement such as the Minsk Protocol, which France and Germany could support, could be the way out of this." He pointed out.
The Minsk Protocol was an agreement in the form of Normandy aimed at ending the war in Donbass.
Haavisto also pointed out that Russia has made some progress in its negotiations with the United States, adding that he thinks it is important that the Finnish and Swedish defense ministers attend a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Wednesday.
The meeting will continue efforts to ease tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Marin: Speeches must lead to deeds
The Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin (SDP) noted that the situation would also be discussed at the EU-AU summit to be held in Brussels on 17-18 June. February.
"It is crucial that EU leaders have the opportunity to discuss this issue together. The situation remains serious. It is important that we have a common understanding of where we are going," Marin stated.
According to the Prime Minister, the latest comments from the negotiating parties give reason to hope that tensions will ease.
"Of course, speech must lead to action. We will closely monitor whether Russia withdraws its troops from the border. Does it go the way they say it will go."
Marin reiterated the EU’s statement in December that the expansion of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine would have serious and far-reaching consequences in the form of economic sanctions.
"The EU is ready to respond if the situation so requires. Of course, we all hope that a solution can be found peacefully and through diplomacy," he noted.
Source: The Nordic Page