Laurel for Peace and Security in Ukraine Initiative called world leaders, especially BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award recipients, to consolidate and unite to support Ukraine.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2018, discussed invasion of Ukraine with European leaders and President Zelenskyy in London.
Mr. Niinistö met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London on March 16, 2022 to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The pair also spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
Niinistö was in London for a two-day summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The JEF is a British-led multilateral framework for defense cooperation that includes the five Nordic countries, the three Baltic states and the Netherlands.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the president said that Finland can be assured of receiving “full support” from the UK, whatever decisions Finland may take regarding its security and defense.
Johnson said that cooperation between the UK and Finland will be strengthened in the near future.
Niinistö said he had a lengthy discussion with Johnson about the conflict in Ukraine. He stressed that the primary focus of NATO and EU countries was de-escalating the situation and halting the unnecessary killing and suffering of civilians.
When asked about Finland’s relations with Russia, Niinistö stated that there is no going back, as the financial consequences and deep mistrust of Russia triggered by the war will continue long into the future.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke at the Conservative Party Spring Forum in Blackpool, England, on March 19, 2022
He said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “turning point for the world,” arguing that a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces would herald “a new age of intimidation.”
