prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said on Saturday that all Western companies must leave Russia.
Marin’s comments came days after the president of Ukraine Volodomyr Zelenski spoke in parliament and told MPs that Finland could face Ukraine.
Marin said that in addition to providing financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Finland is ready to send weapons.
He told Yle that Finland is ready to escalate sanctions against Russia.
"Finland is in favor of stricter sanctions, including sanctions on energy policy." he explained, adding that rising energy prices would not prevent sanctions.
"In Ukraine, people die every day. We must stop the war. We need to be prepared to be flexible in our own daily lives."
Quiet in NATO
Marin still refused to disclose his personal position to NATO on Saturday, although he said that it was important for Finland to get security guarantees during a possible application process.
"Can’t afford to be blue-eyed. We must do everything we can to prevent a war with Russia," he said.
Marin did not provide more detailed information on the schedule of NATO’s application, but reiterated his position that Finnish membership offers should take place before the summer.
The leaders of Finland and Sweden have been in close contact since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Saturday, Marin said he hoped both countries would follow a similar timetable in decisions on NATO membership. Marin meets her Swedish colleague, Magdalena Anderssonnext week.
The interest of Finns in joining the military alliance has risen dramatically since Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
In an interview with Yle TV1, Marin also referred to the hostility that Russian communities across Europe have faced since the war broke out.
"We have no room for hatred or discrimination against minorities. We do not want harassment or aggression against the Russian-speaking minority. We want Finland to be a peaceful country for everyone."