President Niinistö's telephone conversations concerning the Ukraine crisis

Office of the President of the Republic
Press Release 61/2014
13 November 2014

President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö has had telephone conversations with Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and with President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter, who is also the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. President Niinistö talked with President Poroshenko on Thursday, 13 November, and with President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter on Monday, 10 November 2014. The telephone conversations were conducted on Finland’s initiative.

The conversation with President Poroshenko concerned the heightened tension in Eastern Ukraine, possible solutions to the crisis, and how the peace process could be taken further. They also talked about the UN Security Council’s emergency meeting about Ukraine and its results. President Niinistö emphasised Finland’s support to the Minsk peace process and Ukrainian sovereignty, congratulating Ukraine on successful parliamentary elections on 26 October.

With President Burkhalter, the Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, President Niinistö talked about the situation in Ukraine and the OSCE’s role in finding a peaceful solution. Finland is supporting Switzerland’s efforts in its role as holder of the Chairmanship of the OSCE.