Polish, Finnish leaders discuss regional security, support for Ukraine

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Polish President Andrzej Duda and his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto discussed the regional security and support for Ukraine the Polish capital city of Warsaw, local media reported on Monday.

The discussion focused on regional security, particularly Russia’s hybrid attack on Finland by pushing the illegal migrants toward the Finnish border, stressed Duda when he spoke to the press following the meeting, the public broadcaster Polish Radio reported.

“Poland remains ready to provide political support to Finland, and its experiences from two years of protecting its border against migration pressure orchestrated by Belarusian authorities,” he said.

As for the support for Ukraine, Duda stressed that his country is continuing to support Kyiv.

Every Polish government, regardless of political affiliation, should do so, as such an approach is in Poland's and Europe's interests, he added.

"After the war is over, Ukraine should be admitted to NATO," Duda concluded.

On Nov. 16, Finland announced its decision to close four border crossings with Russia from midnight of Nov. 17 in response to suspicions that Russian officials had allowed undocumented asylum seekers to arrive at the Finnish border in growing numbers.

The following day, Helsinki issued another statement warning that the government was prepared to take additional action if the decision to close four border crossing points with Russia did not help calm the situation on the eastern border with Russia.