Prime Minister Stubb chose the Parliament as his latest platform to defend Finland’s participation in a European Union programme of sanctions against Russia over its role in Ukraine. Stubb pointed out that Russia had violated the principles of international justice and infringed on Ukraine’s territorial integrity by annexing the Crimean peninsula and by destabilising the country. As such he said, economic intervention was unavoidable.
“Our fundamental values aren’t for sale,” Stubb said.
The PM noted however that from the very beginning of the crisis in Ukraine Finland had stressed that a negotiated solution was the only way forward. He said that the European Union is not engaged in a trade war with Russia.
“The EU has introduced sanctions against Russia for reasons of foreign and security policy. Possible further sanctions decisions – stricter or lighter – will only be made on the basis of whether or not Russia acts to relieve the crisis in Ukraine. Russia must stop destabilising eastern Ukraine and supporting local separatists,” he stressed.
Impact of sanctions gentler than expected
Stubb reminded MPs that according to a government assessment published in late August, the impact of Russian counter-sanctions on Finland has so far been minimal, with cumulative direct effects on economic growth estimated to reach just 0.1 percent this year. Unemployment fallout would be minimal, he added.
However he admitted to an immediate impact on milk producers, who exported more than 80 percent of their output across the eastern border in 2013. Meat and fish exporters would also feel the crunch, Stubb said. He said that government had set aside 20 million euros in one-off support for the sectors most affected by Russian sanctions.
Need to keep communication channels open
Stubb reminded parliamentarians that the crisis will end at some point, following which Russia will once more be Finland’s neighbour. For this reason, he said, it’s important to keep open channels of communication with Russia, even in the current difficult times.
“High level politics don’t paint the full picture of our relations with Russia. It’s not in anyone’s interest for Russia to isolate itself from cooperation with Europe,” Stubb concluded.