Prime Ministers Mette Frederiksen of Denmark (L), Aksel Vilhelmson Johannesen of the Faroe Islands, Jens-Frederik Nielsen of Greenland, Petteri Orpo of Finland, Head of Government of Åland Katrin Sjögren and Prime Ministers Kristrun Frostadottir of Iceland, Jonas Gahr Störe of Norway and Ulf Kristersson of Sweden (R) during the press cdenference at the Nordic Prime Ministers Summer Meeting at the Paimio Sanatorium in Paimio, Finland, on May 26, 2025. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
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Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Russia’s intensified attacks in Ukraine show it is not serious about ending the war. He made the remarks on Monday during a press conference with Nordic leaders in Paimio, Finland.
“Russia launched 355 drone strikes and nine missiles on Sunday night alone,” Orpo said. “This is not a signal from a country looking for peace.”
Orpo hosted the meeting with Katrin Sjögren, Premier of Åland, bringing together the heads of government from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Topics ranged from security and economic cooperation to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
The Nordic leaders repeated their shared commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said assistance must continue “by all possible means.”
The meeting came amid reports from Ukraine that Russian forces had stepped up attacks across multiple regions. Orpo said the strikes underline why Europe must maintain pressure and avoid any illusions about Russia’s aims.
NATO intelligence has warned of Russia’s ability to regroup quickly after the war in Ukraine ends, with Finnish military officials saying the country is already building up infrastructure near its border with Finland.
Finland joined NATO in 2023 and shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia.
On Tuesday, Orpo is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Turku. Topics will include EU affairs, bilateral relations and European security.
Tensions also surfaced over the question of recognising Palestinian statehood. Finland and Denmark remain the only Nordic countries that have not formally recognised Palestine.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre defended Norway’s 2023 recognition decision, arguing that leaving Palestine unrecognised risks giving legitimacy to extremist groups.
“If we don’t recognise Palestine, we give the microphone to the terrorists,” Støre said. “What is happening in Gaza is not just complex. It is a catastrophe.”
Sweden recognised Palestine in 2014. Iceland did so in 2011.
Orpo did not rule out eventual recognition by Finland but stated that conditions are not currently met. “Palestine needs a representative actor. Hamas, a terrorist organisation, cannot be that actor,” he said.
He added that a ceasefire is urgently needed and emphasised the importance of humanitarian access. “The cruelty must stop. Israel must act,” Orpo said.
Frederiksen agreed on the urgency of aid delivery but said Denmark does not believe the time is right for recognition. “We support the two-state solution, and the suffering of civilians must end. But recognition now would not help,” she said.
Orpo noted that Finland is prepared to reconsider its position if larger states like France or the UK make similar moves. President Alexander Stubb has previously stated that such developments could prompt a review of Finland’s stance.
Opposition parties in Finland are divided. The Social Democratic Party has called for formal parliamentary debate, while the Christian Democrats oppose recognition under current conditions.
RKP leader and Education Minister Anders Adlercreutz has encouraged discussion on the issue. Meanwhile, Orpo said there are “no fixed conditions” but reiterated the need for a credible Palestinian authority.
Despite differing views on Palestine, the leaders presented a united front on regional and global security. In a joint statement, the countries pledged deeper cooperation across key sectors, including civil preparedness and defence.
Several leaders stressed that Europe must act more quickly to address both humanitarian crises and military threats.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland echoed Norway’s position and criticised the international community for inaction. “We have not done enough,” she said.
The Nordic meeting was held in conjunction with business leaders and included sessions on competitiveness, security of supply, and reconstruction in Ukraine.
The gathering concluded with a dinner at Turku Castle, where Chancellor Merz was the guest of honour. He and Orpo will meet again on Tuesday for bilateral talks.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
