Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) said that she thinks continued proving defence support for Ukraine is important, as the US Congress is expected to vote soon on a new package for Ukraine valued at more than 56 billion euros.
Valtonen made the comments on Yle TV1's Saturday morning programme Ykkösaamu.
The US aid package vote took a step forward in Congress on Friday, and following an anticipated vote over the weekend, it is set to move to the Senate for approval.
"It would be excellent if that aid package goes through," she said.
"The aid means a great deal to Ukraine as well as world peace," she said, adding that the United States' support for Ukraine was "far beyond" the aid that Europe has provided.
However, while expressing hope that Ukraine will get the aid it needs soon enough, she noted that it will take time before the support turns into results on Ukraine's front lines.
"A few weeks ago, we in Nato agreed that support for Ukraine must be increased — especially regarding anti-aircraft defences, and Germany has taken a leading role in that," Valtonen explained.
A week ago, Germany announced plans to supply Ukraine with a sixth Patriot air defence missile system to help defend the country against Russian strikes.
Valtonen said that Europe is preparing to support Ukraine in the medium- and long-term, noting that it will mean "much larger" defence budgets that Western countries have seen.
At the beginning of April, the Finnish defence ministry announced that Finland was donating its 23rd defence aid package to Ukraine.
The military materiel shipment was valued at 188 million euros, bringing Finland's total defence aid donations to Ukraine to around two billion euros.
Israel capable of "many kinds of destruction"
Officials in Tehran indicated on Friday that there were no plans to retaliate against what was thought to be an Israeli mini-drone attack in Isfahan, Iran on Thursday night.
The overnight, reportedly limited, attack came less than a week after Iran fired hundreds of missiles at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli attack earlier in the month.
Iran officials downplayed Thursday's night's strike, and have denied that it caused damage or casualties, according to news service Reuters. Israel has not commented on Thursday night's incident and US officials were also quiet about the matter..
Foreign Minister Valtonen said she thinks that it was good that Israel's recent attack was limited.
Valtonen said she thinks that the limited scale of Israel's attack was a positive development.
"It would be very important for parties to exercise restraint and to try to calm down the situation. Israel and Iran have tried to calm the situation," the minister said.
Valtonen added that Israel's drone attack sent a strong message about its military strength.
"Israel has high-quality military capabilities. [Israel] sent a message yesterday that it is capable of many kinds of destruction in Iran," Valtonen said.
Hostages in Gaza
Valtonen also commented on Saturday about the situation in Gaza, saying that Hamas should release the Israelis that the Palestinian militant group is holding hostage.
"Hamas wants to hold the hostages until the last minute. We don't know if they are even alive. That's why a ceasefire has not been achieved," she said, adding that if the hostages were released, it would fundamentally change Israel's position.
"It would become possible to move closer to the negotiating table for talks about the two-state model, which is the only answer," she said.
Given the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the renewed tensions between Israel and Iran, Yleaamu asked Valtonen whether the third World War was imminent or has it already stated.
"There are no indications that warrants such a discussion," Valtonen said.