Zelensky pays unannounced visit to Finland

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Finland on an unannounced visit, his spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov says.

Zelensky will hold talks with Sauli Niinistö, the Finnish President, as well as Petteri Orpo, the speaker of the Finnish parliament, and will participate in the Ukraine — Northern Europe summit.

“The meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and the five Nordic countries was organised to further coordinate military assistance to our state, as well as the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. A joint statement is expected based on the results of the talks,” Nikiforov wrote on Facebook.

On top of that, the Ukrainian President will hold separate bilateral meetings with the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The website of the Finnish President has also reported Zelensky’s visit. “The official discussions between President Niinistö and President Zelenskyy will include Ukraine’s defence struggle and Finland’s support for Ukraine, bilateral relations between the two countries and the global geopolitical situation,” reads the statement. “The working lunch of the official visit will also be attended by Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto. “

Niinistö and Zelensky last met in January 2023 when the Finnish President was visiting Kyiv.

Zelensky visited Poland on 5 April. He was met by the Polish leader Andrzej Duda. The Polish President then presented Zelensky with the Order of the White Eagle, one of Poland’s oldest and highest state awards, for deepening relations between Warsaw and Kyiv.