Finland and Estonia say that Ukraine should be given permission to attack military targets inside Russia with weapons provided by Western countries.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) made the statement during a press conference in Helsinki on Friday.
Last week, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that Finland has not placed any restrictions on the weapons it provides to Ukraine, so long as they are used for defensive purposes and do not violate international law.
"It aligns with both our values and interests that Ukraine wins this war and achieves a just and sustainable peace," the president said.
Support for Ukraine and the security situation in the Baltic Sea region were on the agenda during the two foreign ministers’ one-on-one meeting earlier in the day. According to the Finnish Foreign Ministry, Valtonen and Tsahkna also discussed other foreign and security policy issues as well as bilateral relations, including economic and regional cooperation.
"Estonia is a close neighbour and partner to us, and our relations are excellent. Our cooperation extends from a significant trade partnership to a military alliance. In addition to our bilateral meetings, we meet regularly in different regional formats," Valtonen said.
During his visit to Helsinki, Tsahkna also met with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP), European Affairs Minister Joakim Strand (SPP) and Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (Finns).
Valtonen hosted Tsahkna just after returning on Thursday from a two-day visit to Albania, Serbia and Kosovo, where she stressed Finland’s "strong support" for the Western Balkan countries’ path to EU membership.
"Air defence is a big problem" for Ukraine
Ukraine also topped the agenda as representatives of some 50 countries gathered at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday.
Esa Pulkkinen, Chief of Staff of the Defence Ministry, was among those representing Finland at the Ramstein meeting.
According to Pulkkinen, the meeting highlighted the urgent need for air defence in Ukraine.
"Air defence is a big problem for them, because their civilian targets are being specifically attacked from the air, maybe not so much the troops," Pulkkinen told Yle, adding that the need to remove restrictions on long-range weapons was highlighted at the conference.
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