Sybiha in Helsinki: first Ukrainian foreign minister to address the Nordic Council calls for a Zelensky–Putin meeting

A historic address

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha took part in the 78th session of the Nordic Council in Helsinki on 27 October. According to the foreign ministry, it was the first time in history that Ukraine’s foreign minister addressed a session of the council, Ukrinform reports. The session is the region’s largest annual political event, and this year’s theme is “Nordic comprehensive security”.

Sybiha was to present Ukraine’s view of Russian threats to Northern Europe’s security, the path to a just peace and the benefits of partnership with the Nordic countries. Separately, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Finland and Norway met in a trilateral format — the same one in which Volodymyr Zelensky, Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre met in Oslo on 20 October.

“A Zelensky–Putin meeting is needed”

At a joint press conference with Elina Valtonen and Espen Barth Eide, Sybiha said the level of the negotiating teams was not sufficient for the most sensitive issues. “That is why a meeting at the level of Zelensky and Putin is still needed,” he said.

He stressed that Ukraine has concrete proposals, including on a partial ceasefire, and named the situation in the Black Sea and the protection of the energy system as key issues. “We are ready for a partial ceasefire and a full cessation of hostilities. Of course, everything must be fair. We will not take any unilateral steps,” Sybiha said. Ukraine is also ready for a trilateral meeting in the UAE, he added. Zelensky earlier said Ukraine, the United States and Russia had agreed to hold a trilateral meeting of negotiating teams in the first half of November.

Sybiha also discussed with his counterparts the morning phone calls between the Finnish and Norwegian leaders and Putin, after which they spoke with Zelensky.

$50 billion and joint production

“At the moment Putin shows no real readiness to end the war. That is why it is extremely important to strengthen Ukraine,” the minister said. Since February 2022, he said, the five Nordic countries have provided Ukraine with about $50 billion in assistance.

Sybiha recalled that Ukraine has signed drone agreements with Finland and Norway. “Now we must turn these agreements into joint production,” he said. He also called for stronger air defence, including additional interceptors for PAC systems, and for continued contributions to the PURL initiative. Ukraine, he said, has done its part in the FREYJA project to develop European counter-ballistic capabilities: “Now it is our allies’ turn.”

The sides agreed on further steps to pressure Russia, including new sanctions. “More can be done to counter the shadow fleet,” Sybiha noted, adding that geography makes the Nordic countries key players in these efforts.

Money for winter and reconstruction

The same day, Norway’s government announced NOK 500 million (almost $54 million) in energy support for Ukraine ahead of winter. Finland’s state-owned export credit agency Finnvera signed a financial guarantee agreement with the European Commission that opens the possibility of EUR 240 million in financing for Ukraine’s reconstruction — in energy, digital infrastructure, logistics, critical raw materials and defence, Interfax-Ukraine reported, citing the foreign ministry.

Not mediators

The Finnish and Norwegian ministers made clear they do not seek a mediating role. “We do not want to be mediators, but we believe we can make a certain contribution to the process,” Eide said, as quoted by Iltalehti. Valtonen said Finland supports the US-led peace process, has no intention of normalising relations with Russia and is “here to support Ukraine”.