According to Finland’s top diplomat, Russia could be ready to escalate Ukraine’s war even further.
The Foreign Minister of Finland will join Yle’s Ykkösaamu program on Saturday Pekka Haavisto (Green) said Russia could be ready to use nuclear weapons.
Putin had reminded the world that Russia had a nuclear arsenal in its speech to the world before Russia launched its attack.
"It has been widely interpreted to mean that Russia is ready to use all the means at its disposal," said Haavisto. "It certainly has something to do with nuclear weapons. This possibility should be borne in mind. Sometimes the Russian leadership refers to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which involved nuclear-armed missiles."
“Finland is doing its part”
According to Haavisto, when thousands of Ukrainians flee the country, Finland would be ready to help incoming asylum seekers.
"I believe that Finland is ready to play its part." he said.
Commented on Putin’s excuse for the attack "denature" Ukraine, Haavisto pointed out "calling people drug addicts and pulling a Nazi card is exceptional."
On Friday, the president Sauli Niinistö said that NATO had invited Finland to share and receive sensitive military intelligence.
However, Haavisto did not want to take a position on whether this meant applying for membership closer to Finland.
The Foreign Minister also downplayed Russia’s speech "consequences" if Finland joined NATO, it stated that there was no military threat to Finland. However, he pointed out that Russia’s attack on Ukraine had raised fears of a new Iron Curtain in Europe.
According to Haavisto, Russia wants to control not only Belarus but also Ukraine.
"We just went back several decades," he said of Moscow’s efforts to restore sphere of influence.
Finland publishes a list of sanctions
The Finnish government has said that sanctions are a price to pay.
The Foreign Ministry has published a list of sanctions agreed by EU governments in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sanctions apply to individuals, financial institutions and state-owned companies, among others.
Vladimir PutinForeign minister Sergei Lavrov and other Russian leaders are all facing sanctions. Belarusian military leaders are also threatened with sanctions.
EU foreign ministers agreed on a final sanctions list on Friday night. Haavisto said new sanctions could be on the road within a few days if Russian military action continues.
"It is difficult to say what is the point at which decisions on new sanctions will be taken," said Haavisto. "Events are progressing very fast."
Source: The Nordic Page