Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (L), Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Finnish President Sauli Niinistoe, Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store pose for a family photo during the Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Helsinki, Finland, on May 3, 2023.
Following his meeting with the President of Finland in the morning, Zelenskyy was scheduled to have discussions with other Nordic leaders in the afternoon of Wednesday, May 3.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine, has declared the year 2023 to be "decisive for victory" in the country's ongoing war against a Russian invasion.
2023 Might Be the Year
To meet with other Nordic leaders at a conference hosted by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Zelenskyy is making a rare trip outside of Finland, Euronews reported.
At a press conference held on a Wednesday lunch hour, Zelenskyy stated that he was working with Finland and other Nordic partners on additional military aid packages. He described it as crucial and a new round of sanctions, which he claimed the Kremlin was "constantly trying to evade."
Before he left Kyiv, Zelenskyy put out a video on Tuesday evening, May 2, in which he said that Ukraine is keeping a close eye on how Russia is trying to get around sanctions, recording each attempt, and working with Ukraine's partners to stop it.
Zelenskyy said they are getting ready to impose severe punishments and that quick action is expected to be done. Additionally, he expressed optimism that this year would prove "decisive for victory" as Ukrainian forces prepare for a long-awaited counteroffensive against established Russian forces.
Zelenskyy made a reference in Helsinki to Finland's victory over Russia in the Winter War of 1939 to 1940. Despite being outnumbered by their Russian rival, Finland was able to pull off the unlikely accomplishment of defeating them. This "historic winter fight for freedom," Zelenskyy remarked, was similar to "our brave fight now" in Ukraine.
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Talks With Nordic Leaders
Finland President Sauli Niinistö, who is responsible for foreign affairs, was hosting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his visit to Finland.
Late Wednesday morning, Niinistö's office released a statement saying that he and the Ukrainian prime minister had held bilateral discussions during which they planned to discuss Ukraine's defense struggle, as well as Finnish support for Ukraine and bilateral ties.
After that, Zelenskyy had lunch with Sanna Marin, who is stepping down as prime minister, and Pekka Haavisto, who is leaving as foreign minister. He also met Petteri Orpo, who will be taking over as prime minister after April's election.
President Niinistö hold a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in the afternoon with Zelenskyy, Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson, Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre, Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, and Icelandic PM Katrín Jakobsdóttir.
Reportedly, the afternoon meeting focused on Russia's aggression in Ukraine, the Nordic countries' support for Ukraine, Ukraine's connection with the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Ukraine's effort for a fair peace.
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