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Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have demanded that Russia be held responsible for its aggression. Photo/YLE
KIEV – Finnish Prime Minister (PM) Sanna Marin said Russia should be held responsible for the crimes of aggression and crimes committed during the war in Ukraine .
According to Marin, Moscow must pay compensation for the damage caused. The comments were made during a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Friday, as reported by European Pravda, Saturday (11/3/2023).
“We believe that the time will come when Russia will be held accountable for its crimes, and (President Vladimir) Putin will be held personally accountable for the crime of aggression,” PM Marin said.
The women leader noted that Finland and other countries are working to ensure responsibility is carried on by Moscow.
“Finland is one of the countries that want to ensure (Russia) responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We support investigations by the International Criminal Court and Ukrainian authorities and established the International Center for Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression,” Marin said.
“We also support Russia paying the full price for its aggression, for the destruction and losses suffered by Ukraine due to this invasion. We support freezing and seizing Russian assets and using them to rebuild and revive Ukraine,” he added.
Sanna Marin emphasized that Finland understands from its own experience of defending its independence that the free world must now support Ukraine as long as it is necessary.
“We want Ukraine to achieve peace on its terms and when ready to build it. We support President Zelensky’s peace formula and want this plan to start working. Only lasting peace can give our European family peace and prosperity,” Marin said.
PM Marin added that Ukraine can count on Helsinki’s support on the path of reforms necessary for the country’s future accession to the European Union.
On Friday, Finland announced an additional €29 million for Ukraine in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation.
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