DISINFO: Finland opposed anti-Russian sanctions
SUMMARY
President of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the Yalta European Strategy Forum (YES) in Kуiv spoke about the ineffectiveness of anti-Russian sanctions and opposed the appeal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to continue restrictions against Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative claiming that that the EU Member States want to end sanctions against Russia. Russian media presents out of context a quote from President Niinistö, who spoke at the YES forum after the president of Ukraine. In his speech, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on European partners to maintain sanctions until Russia ceases aggression against Ukraine. After Zelenskyy, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and President Niinistö took the floor. The full speech of the Finnish head of state touched upon the global challenges that have now arisen in the world community, including the problems of security and confrontation with the largest countries. There was no talk of lifting sanctions or openly opposing Zelenskyy’s appeal to preserve restrictions against Russia in the speech of the President of Finland. Niinistö only said that cooperation with Russia on Ukraine’s issues requires not only sanctions, but also other steps (see video from 13:04). Moreover, after speaking at the forum, President Niinistö held a small conference with Finnish journalists who pointed out to him the fact of many fakes from Russia on this subject. The President of Finland was surprised at such an interpretation of his speech at the forum in Kуiv. He stressed that his country would continue to support EU sanctions against Russia. Read more fakes about sanctions here.