Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö and the current Finnish government released a joint statement on Sunday condemning the deadly rocket attacks in Mariupol, Ukraine. The country’s leaders said in the statement that they are deeply concerned about the worsening situation in the eastern European country.
The statement appeals to all of the parties involved in the conflict to calm the situation. The President and government also express their deep concern about the renewed escalation of the conflict.
Russia must fulfil its commitment to use its influence to stop the military action of the separatists in eastern Ukraine, the statement reads.
Tuomioja makes comments on social media
Writing on Facebook, Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said on Sunday that the separatist threat to expand the conflict in Ukraine would have “bad and far-ranging consequences” that would affect not only the Ukrainians but also the entire international arena. In such a situation, he writes, Russia could not circumvent a role as a separatist supporter and weapons provider.
Tuomioja said the Saturday rocket strike on Mariupol is highly reminiscent of the grenade attack on Sarajevo 21 years ago.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also strongly condemned the Mariupol attacks on Sunday, saying it looks as if the rockets were being fired indiscriminately into civilian areas. Ban maintained in his statement that behaviour such as this breaks several international laws.
