Elina Valtonen's (NCP) term as Finland's new foreign affairs minister got off to a lively start, due to a near-coup of the Russian military over the weekend.
On Friday, mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a coup d'etát, leading thousands of troops in the Wagner Group on a "march for justice" and being condemned as a traitor by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, after Prigozhin and his mercenaries abruptly ended the mutiny, many questions remain unanswered. According to Reuters news service, governments around the world are searching for answers about what might happen next in Russia, which has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.
"It's important to understand that this is an internal situation in Russia, which we are monitoring and taking precautions if there are reasons to," Valtonen said, reiterating that the situation does not pose a threat to Finland.
Commenting ahead of an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, Valtonen noted that Finland's border with Russia is calm and that both civil and state agencies are closely monitoring the situation.
Valtonen added that legislation which makes it possible for Finland to change its border crossing policies is already in place.
"Last summer the Border Act was updated and there are sections in it which make it possible to react in different situations. But for now, there is absolutely no reason to use them," Valtonen said.
The law changes enabled authorities to shut down borders or limit the number of border crossing points during exceptional circumstances. The legislation adjustments were a response to the changed security situation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Continued support for Ukraine
Valtonen added that it was premature to know what sort of effects the discontinued coup in Russia will have on the country's leadership or its continuing war of aggression in Ukraine.
"But it can be expected that it will have an effect on how Russian's perceive their own leadership and on what kind of image Russia has abroad," Valtonen said.
Valtonen said Finland's newly-minted government will continue offering strong support to Ukraine. She added that plans are being made for the rebuilding of the war-torn country, with help from the business community.
"Finland is strongly involved, and will be in future as well," Valtonen said.
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