Surprise visit to Kyiv: Finland's Prime Minister meets Selenskyj - expert explains the importance

Created: 05/26/2022, 18:50

By: Florian Naumann, Stephanie Munk, Christoph Gschoßmann

For more than three months, Russia has been attacking its neighbor in the Ukraine war.

Will there be an exchange of prisoners or a "humanitarian passage"?

News ticker.

• Escalated conflict in Ukraine

  : Moscow calls for the lifting of sanctions to solve the grain crisis.

• Moscow announces consideration of prisoner exchange with Ukraine after court trials.

• EU dissatisfaction with Orban's role in the Ukraine war is growing

  : Green MP calls for summit exclusion.

• This news ticker

  on the Ukraine-Russia negotiations and war diplomacy

   is constantly updated.

Update from May 26, 6.40 p.m .:

Highly symbolic visit to the Ukraine conflict: Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin surprisingly visits Volodymyr Zelenskyy – and the Kiev suburb of Irpin, which has been severely devastated by war.

Among other things, the Finnish Embassy in Germany shared the news in the short message service Twitter.

Photos showed Marin - whose country wants to join NATO in response to the Russian war of aggression - in a bulletproof vest during a site visit, but also when meeting Zelenskyj in Kyiv.

The Finnish PM also reportedly visited Bucha, the scene of alleged Russian war crimes.

According to the Finnish public radio and TV broadcaster YLE, the government had not announced the trip in advance.

The Helsinki political scientist Teivo Teivanen classified the step at YLE as primarily symbolically important.

“You cannot give Ukraine as much material support as it asks for and there may be domestic pressure to give more.

This visit is another way of showing support,” he stressed.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is also exposed to similar debates – but so far he has not made a trip to Ukraine.

Update from May 26, 12:13 p.m

.: Ankara is negotiating with Moscow and Kiev to export grain from Ukraine via Turkey.

This is reported by the

, citing the Reuters news agency.

According to an unnamed senior Turkish official, negotiations are already underway.

The Kremlin recently called for the sanctions against Russia to be lifted in order to solve the grain crisis - the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba saw this as "blackmail" from the West.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Selenskyj criticizes too much consideration for Putin at Davos

Update from May 26, 10:31 a.m

.: Volodymyr Selenskyj was disappointed by the World Economic Forum in Davos in his recent video speech.

"No matter what the Russian state does, there is someone who says: Let's take their interests into account," said the Ukrainian president.

It was the same in Davos.

“And this despite thousands of Russian missiles hitting Ukraine.

Despite tens of thousands of Ukrainians killed.

Despite Bucha and Mariupol”.

Russia is doing this in the middle of Europe.

In this context, Zelenskyj criticized the former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

He too had said that peace in Ukraine could only be achieved by ceding territory to Russia.

During a video link to Davos, Selenskyj said that Ukraine would not give up any territory.

"Ukraine is fighting until it has all its territory back." He said he was ready for talks with Moscow if Russia retreated to the pre-February 24 front lines.

Ukraine negotiations: Selenskyj wants visa requirements for Russians

Update from May 25, 10:05 p.m .:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has spoken out in favor of a visa requirement for Russian citizens entering Ukraine.

On Wednesday, the 44-year-old supported an online petition that had received around 27,000 signatures since the beginning of the war.

"Against the backdrop of full-scale Russian aggression, the issue raised is important and urgent," he wrote.

He sees the need to tighten control over entry of Russian citizens into the territory of Ukraine.

The government under Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal was commissioned with a regulation.

Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine generally banned the entry of Russian citizens.

Before that, there was a general visa exemption between the two countries.

This state of affairs is now set to change even after a possible end of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken out in favor of making visas compulsory for Russian citizens.

© Gian Ehrenzeller/dpa

Russia is ready to talk: "We are always ready for dialogue with everyone who strives for peace"

Update from May 25, 3:04 p.m .:

In view of the food crisis caused by its war against Ukraine, Russia continues to insist on easing western sanctions – but is ready to talk.

According to the Interfax agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko on Wednesday called for the punitive measures imposed on Russia's export industry and the financial sector to be lifted.

In addition, Ukraine must demine all ports, he demanded.

Russia would then be ready to secure a "humanitarian passage".

"We are always ready for dialogue with everyone who strives for peace and a peaceful solution to all problems." He rejected the accusation that Russia was stealing Ukrainian grain: "We don't steal anything from anyone."

Ukraine-Russia talks: Russia to consider possible prisoner swap

Update from May 25, 2:50 p.m .:

According to its own statements, Russia will examine a possible exchange of prisoners with Ukraine as soon as the court judgments against Ukrainian prisoners have been made.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said on Wednesday, according to Russian news agencies, an exchange would only be considered after a verdict against “those who have surrendered”.

Before that, discussions about an exchange were “premature”.

The pool photo published by the Russian state news agency Sputnik via AP shows Vladimir Putin, President of Russia (archive image) © Mikhail Metzel/Pool Sputnik Kremlin/AP/dpa

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: is Hungary at risk of being excluded from the EU summit?

Update from May 25, 1:31 p.m .:

Dissatisfaction with Viktor Orbán’s role in the Ukraine conflict is growing – a Green MEP is now even demanding that Hungary be excluded from the EU summit early next week.

According to the treaties, heads of state or government in the European Council must be “democratically accountable to their national parliament or to their citizens,” emphasized German MEP Daniel Freund in a letter to Council President Charles Michel.

Orbán should no longer take part in the summit meetings until democracy is restored in Hungary, Freund demanded.

"Only democrats are allowed to sit in the European Council," said the Green MEP.

Orban has been dismantling democracy in Hungary for years and, with the state of emergency that has now been declared, is also bypassing the last remnant of parliamentary control.

"When it comes to the most central decisions for security in Europe, no autocrat should sit at the table," explained Freund.

Previously, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Orbán had openly attacked.

Hungary is a declared opponent of an oil embargo against Russia.

At the same time, according to a Merkur report, the country also attracted attention with its reluctance to help refugees from Ukraine.

Viktor Orbán is considered a pro-Russian head of state.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: armored vehicles from Lithuania

Update from May 25, 12:59 p.m.:

Ukraine will receive armored vehicles from Lithuania for the war against Russia.

The Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that the Baltic EU and NATO country will hand over 20 M113 armored personnel carriers, 10 military trucks and 10 all-terrain mine clearance vehicles to Kyiv.

The value of the equipment is around 15.5 million euros. 

According to its own statements, Lithuania has given Ukraine military aid worth an estimated 100 million euros since the Russian attack.

Among the weapons supplied were Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and mortars.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: EU wants to confiscate oligarch assets if necessary

Update from May 25, 12:37 p.m .:

The European Commission has presented plans to confiscate the assets of Russian oligarchs.

"EU sanctions must be respected and those who try to circumvent them must be punished," said Deputy Commission President Vera Jourova.

The plans call for confiscation if oligarchs try to circumvent EU-imposed sanctions on Russia and hide assets.

Since such a confiscation is not yet legally possible in some EU countries, the Commission made another proposal: circumventing EU sanctions should become a criminal offense and be prosecuted uniformly across Europe.

This could include concealing assets or exporting or importing goods that are subject to trade bans.

If the confiscation and sale of Russian oligarchs' villas or yachts becomes legally possible, some member states want to use the proceeds to rebuild the devastated Ukraine.

However, other member states, including Germany, have expressed concerns that the measure could breach international and national laws.

The Russian oligarch Usmanov recently announced that he would return to his villa on Lake Tegernsee after fleeing it after the outbreak of the Ukraine war - and he called the sanctions against him unfair.

Some other oligarchs made an explosive proposal to the G7: they want to buy their way out of the sanctions.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Zelenskyj accuses the West of disagreement - and addresses Orban

Update from May 25, 11:25 a.m .:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Western countries of not standing united on the side of Ukraine.

“My question is: is there unity in practice?

I don't see them," Zelenskyi said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Zelenskyj accused Turkey and Hungary in particular of not showing solidarity with his country, which has been defending itself in the Ukraine war for three months.

Selenskyj, who was connected via video, expressly thanked US President Joe Biden for the support of the USA.

As a European country, Ukraine needs above all "the support of a united Europe," said Zelenskyy.

"We will have a huge advantage over Russia if we are really united," he said.

Selenskyj expressly criticized Hungary, which refused to agree to an EU-wide oil embargo against Russia.

"Something is wrong with Hungary!" said the Ukrainian President.

The country is "not as united as the rest of the EU" in supporting Ukraine.

The head of state also recalled Turkey's resistance to Finland and Sweden joining NATO.

“Is there unity when Sweden and Finland join NATO?

no

So is the West united?

No,” said the Ukrainian President

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Selenskyj makes a declaration of war in Davos - and demands direct talks with Putin

Update from May 25, 9:20 a.m .:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj does not want to give up any Ukrainian territory in return for peace.

"Ukraine is fighting until it has its entire territory back," Zelenskyy said at an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

He was digitally connected to the discussion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the participants via video link in Davos.

© Laurent Gillieron/KEYSTONE/dpa

Zelenskyi said he is ready for talks if Russia withdraws to the areas it was in before the war began in February.

But he will only speak to Putin himself.

"I can only speak directly to the President, no intermediaries, no intermediaries," said Zelenskyy.

For that, Putin has to leave his bubble.

Russia is not currently negotiating seriously.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for a complete halt to western trade with Russia.

The sanctions would have to be taken to the next level.

"The world should stop buying Russian goods and services and stop trading with Russia," he said.

Otherwise, the money will help keep “the Russian war crimes machinery” running.

The West must accept that the ultimate goal in the Ukraine war must be a victory for Ukraine.

Star investor Soros: Ukraine-Russia war could be the end of civilization

Update from May 24, 8:43 p.m .:

Star investor George Soros sees serious consequences if other crises such as climate change are delayed because of the war in Ukraine.

Issues that affect all of humanity have receded into the background in the face of the Russian war.

"That's why I say that our civilization may not survive," said the 91-year-old on Tuesday evening on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Society has fallen behind in the fight against climate change.

Climate change may already be irreversible.

Soros criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and stressed that Ukraine had put up unexpectedly strong resistance to the attack.

Europe reacted to the invasion faster, more united and more forcefully than ever before in its history. At the same time, the European states remained highly dependent on Russian energy - "mainly because of the mercantilist policies" of the then Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"That made Germany the best-performing economy in Europe, but now there's a heavy price to pay," Soros said.

Baerbock: Work continues on arms deliveries to Ukraine

Update from May 24, 6:01 p.m .:

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has emphasized the readiness for further arms deliveries in the face of ongoing criticism of the German government’s hesitant support for Ukraine.

Germany is working together with Poland and international partners to "continue to supply more weapons, ammunition and heavy equipment," said the Green politician on Tuesday after meeting her Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau in Berlin.

At the same time, she emphasized: "We are strengthening NATO's eastern flank with German soldiers and material in the Baltic States, as well as with anti-aircraft missiles in Slovakia."

She knows how much Poland has been looking at Germany since the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and "how the German government, how we act and what we do together to support Ukraine," said Baerbock, who said with reference to Rau : "You yourself are setting a good example." The willingness to help with which Poland has been looking after refugees from Ukraine for months "I find deeply impressive".

Update from May 24, 5:10 p.m .:

Russia has imposed an entry ban on 154 members of the British House of Lords.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, this is in response to the British government's decision in March to impose sanctions on almost all members of Russia's upper house.

Oil embargo against Russia?

Orban counters Habeck's lightning forecast - and wants EU billions

Update from May 24, 4:30 p.m .:

The EU’s planned oil embargo against Russia as a result of the Ukraine war will probably continue to fail due to Hungary’s resistance: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is still blocking it.

It is "very unlikely that a comprehensive solution can be found before the special summit of the European Council on May 30th and 31st," writes Orban in a letter to EU Council President Charles Michel.

The sanctions proposed by the EU Commission would lead to "serious disruptions to energy supplies" in Hungary and a massive increase in energy prices, Orban warned in the letter dated Monday (May 23).

At the same time, the Hungarian head of government called it "counterproductive" to discuss the sixth package of sanctions against Russia at the special summit as long as there was no consensus.

According to EU officials, Hungary recently called for an exception to the oil embargo beyond 2024 in negotiations with the Commission.

The government is also demanding unprecedented EU aid to turn away from Russian oil.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto put the money needed at "15 to 18 billion euros".

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced last week that she wanted to mobilize up to 300 billion euros from public and private funds to help the EU turn away from Russian gas and oil.

Orban criticized that the plan does not go into detail about Hungary's "serious concerns".

Economics Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday that an agreement on an EU oil embargo could be reached in a few days and explicitly criticized Hungary's position.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Russian UN diplomat resigned in protest - Moscow is now reacting

Update from May 24, 2:50 p.m .:

The Kremlin distanced itself from the man after the termination of a Russian diplomat at the United Nations.

"One can probably only say here that Mr. Bondarev no longer belongs to us - rather that he is against us," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday in Moscow, according to a report by the Interfax news agency.

Embassy counselor Boris Bondarev resigned on Monday after 20 years in protest at Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

In the ministry, it's all about "war friction, lies and hatred," the diplomat complained, enough was enough.

Peskov said: "He condemned the actions of the Russian leadership - and the actions of the Russian leadership are supported by practically the entire population of our country.

This means that this gentleman spoke out against the generally prevailing opinion of our country.”

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Former Ukrainian minister calls for immediate gas stop from Moscow

Update from May 24, 12:42 p.m .:

From the point of view of former Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, Russia’s war in Ukraine endangers global stability.

There is a risk of a food crisis if Ukraine cannot export its grain.

"And in many parts of the world, hunger is leading to civil unrest," Jaresko said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

A corridor must urgently be opened in Ukraine for the export of 20 million tons of grain from the previous harvest.

The only way to prevent a global economic downturn is to allow Ukraine to win the war, said Jaresko, who was Ukraine's finance minister from late 2014 to 2016.

To do this, the West must do more than it has done to isolate the Russian economy.

"And that starts with oil and gas," Jaresko said.

The West must do everything possible to get rid of Russian gas.

In the meantime, for example, tariffs on Russian gas should be imposed, which means “less money will flow back to Russia and finance this war”.

Jaresko also called on the remaining German companies to give up their business in Russia.

"Your taxes are funding this war," she said.

In view of the sanctions and the impending loss of reputation, it is no longer worthwhile for many companies to produce in Russia anyway.

Update from May 24, 12:26 p.m .:

The finance ministers of the European Union are discussing new billions in aid for Ukraine in Brussels.

Deputy Commission President Valdis Dombrovskis promoted his authority's proposal to provide nine billion euros as emergency aid.

With this, the EU Commission wants to help avert national bankruptcy in the country in the Ukraine war.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Ukraine's financial needs by June will total more than 14 billion euros.

Ukraine negotiations: Von der Leyen wants to use Russian assets for Ukraine reconstruction

Update from May 24, 11:43 a.m .:

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke out at the World Economic Forum in favor of using confiscated Russian funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

"We should turn every stone for this - if possible also Russian assets that we have frozen," said the top German politician in Davos.

It is about repairing the damage caused by Putin's destructive fury and shaping Ukraine's future according to the wishes of its citizens.

According to von der Leyen, the aim of the world community should be a defeat for Russia.

“Ukraine must win this war.

And Putin's aggression must prove to be a strategic failure," she said.

"We will do everything in our power to help Ukraine assert itself and take the future back into its own hands." Ukraine is part of the "European family" and is dealing with a crucial moment all democracies in the world do.

Update from May 24, 11:31 a.m .:

According to Ukrainian information, Russian President Vladimir Putin was said to have been the target of a failed assassination shortly after the start of the war.

The head of the Ukrainian secret service said in an interview.

You can read details about the alleged assassination attempt on Putin in this article.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: US President Biden sees the war as a global challenge

Update from May 24, 10:40 a.m .:

US President Joe Biden has described the Ukraine war as a challenge for the whole world.

At a summit of four leading Indo-Pacific democracies in Tokyo, Biden said, "This is more than just a European issue, it's a global problem." Biden continued, "We are moving through a dark hour in our common history."

In addition to Japan, Australia and the USA, India also took part in the deliberations, which takes a neutral stance on the Ukraine war and does not support Western sanctions.

Biden did not explicitly address India's stance on Russia in the public portion of the summit.

However, the US and other western states are trying to persuade India to move away from Russia.

India traditionally has good relations with Moscow and buys a lot of Russian armaments.

At the meeting, Joe Biden gave the Australian leader a special greeting - and assured him it was "okay" if he fell asleep.

"Many people would not have died": Selenskyj blames the West for war victims

First report :

Kiev - After three months of the Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has demanded modern missile defense weapons and combat aircraft from the West against Russia - and blames the lack of arms deliveries for war victims in Ukraine.

Many people "would not have died if we had received all the weapons we ask for," Zelenskyy said Monday evening (May 23) in a new video message marking Russian President Vladimir Putin's war of aggression.

Since the war began on February 24, his country has been the target of 3,000 airstrikes and nearly 1,500 rocket attacks.

The vast majority of the attacks were aimed at civilian targets.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Zelenskyj demands the right to arms assistance

All of Ukraine's partners agree that his country's fight against Russia serves to "protect the common values ​​of all countries in the free world," Zelenskyy said.

That is why his country has a right to arms assistance.

At the end of April, Germany gave the green light for the delivery of the tanks no longer used by the Bundeswehr.

But the delivery of the tanks has been a long time coming since there are problems with the procurement of ammunition.

The federal government announced on Monday (May 23) that 30 Cheetah anti-aircraft tanks are to be made available to Ukraine before September if possible. 

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: situation remains difficult

In the east of Ukraine, where the Russian army has concentrated its activities, the situation remains difficult, said Zelenskyj in his video message.

He does not expect that Russia will give up the occupied territories in the Kharkiv region and other regions.

"The coming weeks of war will be difficult," he added.