Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo Photo: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has called on Western countries, including the United States and Europe, to step up pressure on Russia to support Ukraine and force the Kremlin to stop its aggression. He said this in an interview with Yle Radio Suomi.
According to Orpo, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not shown any willingness to call a ceasefire or start peace talks. “At this point, I see no other way out but for the West, the United States and Europe, together with like-minded countries, to increase pressure on Russia to support the Ukrainian army in repelling Russian attacks,” he said.
The Finnish prime minister believes that further sanctions are critically necessary. He mentioned that the EU is already working on a new package of sanctions for the next summit, and expressed hope that the United States will implement its powerful sanctions package against Russia despite the domestic political situation.
Orpo also called the extent of the suffering caused by Russian aggression “shocking”. During a recent visit to Ukraine, he visited the Hesburger production and logistics complex near Kyiv as part of a programme of support for Ukrainian business organised by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
