The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Finland to broach the issue of blocking russia's access to the funds paid for energy resources in the European Union.
He said this during a speech before the Finnish Parliament - Eduskunta.
When tyranny will lose the war against Ukraine, it will be one of the greatest contributions to Europe's security in decades. And so, one of the greatest contributions to the security of Finland. That’s why we need the weapons that Finland's partners in the European Union have. That is why we need truly effective sanctions against russia. A sanction cocktail they will remember as Molotov cocktails. Insist on this, people and politicians of Finland!
"How much longer will Europe ignore the need to impose an embargo on oil supplies from russia?" This is an issue of security in all senses of the word, from environmental to military. And I’m asking you to ask this question out loud to everyone in the European Union. For the necessary solution to finally appear... And if Europe does not want to physically cut off supplies now, if it is not ready, although it is still inevitable, the first step is to apply a scheme to limit the flow of money for petroleum to russia. Let this money accumulate in special accounts without russia's access to it,” the president suggested.
Thus, russia must first restore peace and be held accountable for war crimes and then take away petrodollars and its petroleum euros.
The President of Ukraine also called on Finland to join the reconstruction of the educational sector destroyed by the russians. From 24 February 928 educational facilities in Ukraine are either ruined or damaged. These are kindergartens, schools, and universities.
Zelenskyy also informed Finnish parliamentarians about the russian-inflicted attack on the Kramatorsk railway station full of civilians who simply wanted to evacuate. He notices that at least 30 dead and 300 wounded as a result of missiles hitting the station (the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration said that 87 people were injured).
“russia has hurled all the fighting forces of its army from all over their territory up to the Far East. But even these forces weren’t enough. That’s why russia is gathering as many people capable of holding weapons as possible to continue the aggression against Ukraine. It’s looking for mercenaries all over the world. It sends militants from various de facto terrorist groups and so-called private armies created by some russian officials. We saw all types among captured russian soldiers,” he told.
According to the president, none of the prisoners could explain why this war against Ukraine was for them.
The whole world saw what the russian soldiers did in Bucha. But they still commit the same atrocities daily in other cities and towns.
“I’m sure that you are aware that if the russian army receives an order to invade your land, they will do the same to your country. I don’t wish you this. In your cities they will do the same things they did in Bucha. In cities of any country that the leaders of the russian federation decides is supposed to be part of their empire, not the land of other people. And even if russian soldiers do not understand why they need it, they will still be at war. Because this is hate and contempt for other people who are being brought up in russia now, and at the state level,” the head of state emphasized.
In March for the first time in its history, Finland, which has non-aligned status, has provided weapons. On 1 March the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine informed that Finland will supply 2,500 automatic rifles, 150,000 rounds of ammunition, 1,500 disposable RPGs and 70,000 food kits.
Amid the russian war in Ukraine, Finland is getting ready to apply to join NATO.
Finland proclaimed itself ready to respond to russian petroleum, but the new sanctions package for the European Union did not include this. Despite all calls, the EU has only banned the purchase, import or transfer of coal and other solid minerals to the EU from russia from August 2022.