According to Kaikkonen, the interim government could make a decision on its 16th aid package in the next few weeks. He declined to comment in detail on the contents of the next package, but described it as “stiff.”
“I could say, for example, that air defense is something that Ukraine has strongly emphasized,” he told the broadcaster.
According to Kaikkonen, Ukraine’s wishes regarding weapons and weapon systems are constantly evaluated. However, Finland will continue to make its decisions regarding military aid in a way that does not weaken its own defense capabilities.
“We evaluate what our support could look like at which stage in each package separately,” he stated.
The interim government can deal with routine matters related to the day-to-day operations of the government and urgent matters that cannot be left to the next government. However, it cannot implement the government program and must refrain from new or broad policy initiatives that have consequences for its successor.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky visited Helsinki on Wednesday to participate in a summit with the Nordic foreign policy leaders, the President of Finland Sauli NiinistöPrime Minister of Sweden Ulf KristerssonPrime Minister of Norway Jonas Garh StørePrime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir. During the Prime Minister’s time Sanna Marin (SDP) did not attend the summit, Zelenski held bilateral talks with every prime minister, including Marin. According to YLE.
Before the summit, Zelenskiy sat down with Niinistö to discuss Finland’s next aid package for Ukraine. Zelenskiy said at a joint press conference after the meeting on Wednesday that he believes this year will be decisive for Ukraine’s victory.
He also met with the head of coalition negotiations, Petteri Orpo of the national coalition. Orpo said on Wednesday that he assured Zelenski that Finland will continue to support Ukraine regardless of the outcome of the coalition process.
Zelenskiy also had a working lunch with Marin and the foreign minister’s group Pekka Haavisto (Green).
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page