Petteri Orpo intends to raise the issue of helping Ukraine at the EU summit, emphasizing the need for more support. The heads of state of the European Union member states have gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit focusing on foreign relations and competitiveness. Finland is represented by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the meeting.
In a draft resolution seen by Kauppalehti, the European Council strongly condemned Iran’s air attack on Israel. EU leaders urged all parties to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions in the region and indicated readiness for new sanctions against Iran, particularly targeting unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.
Orpo highlighted the critical situation in Ukraine upon his arrival at the summit, expressing the urgency of providing anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition to support the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi condemned Iran’s attacks on Israel and called for more unity from the West in response to Russia’s aggression.
While acknowledging the differences between the situations in Israel and Ukraine, Orpo underscored the importance of providing adequate support to Ukraine to prevent further destruction. The second day of the summit will focus on discussions around the EU’s competitiveness and internal market.
Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta has prepared a report on competitiveness, which he will present to the leaders at the summit. Orpo emphasized the priority of competitiveness in building the next commission’s agenda and discussed the ongoing discussions on this topic among EU leaders.
Before traveling to Lappeenranta with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Orpo mentioned plans to discuss the situation on Finland’s eastern border and strategic goals for the EU’s agenda. The visit aims to address the closed border and develop strategies for enhancing competitiveness within the EU.