Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosts Special Discussion with Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, during WEF in Davos

Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosted Special Discussion with Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, during WEF in Davos (Switzerland). 

The event was held as a part of the project ‘YOUR COUNTRY FIRST – WIN WITH US’, organized by Victor Pinchuk Foundation and PinchukArtCentre in cooperation with the Office of the President of Ukraine. The project, which combines an ongoing discussion program and an exhibition, is an immersive intellectual and visual experience, and a space for dialogue and action.

Moderator of the discussion, Wolfgang Ischinger, President of the Foundation Council of the Munich Security Conference Foundation, Member, YES Board spoke with Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, on the topic of Ukraine’s NATO membership and Finland’s role as chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 

Wolfgang Ischinger started the discussion: “We want to hear about how you assess the impact of the arrival of Donald Trump on Ukraine? After so many years Finland decided to totally change course and go for NATO membership. Is this now an achievable goal for Ukraine?”

Elina Valtonen commented: “NATO membership for Ukraine is a very desirable goal. The Ukrainians are waiting for it. We hope this is the year that Ukraine gets real lasting peace.”

Finland is the chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) this year, which is also the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Principles. And although one participating state is blatantly violating them, the Helsinki Principles still hold a lot of value today. If the Helsinki Principles didn’t exist already, we would certainly have to create them. 

And as Chairs of the OSCE we trying to put all our efforts, all our energy, behind that goal. Our President had a very good conversation last night with President Zelenskyy.  I was in Kyiv less than two weeks ago as part of my first trip as the OSCE chair, because it is important that we show our solidarity with Ukraine.”

When Wolfgang Ischinger asked if we can compare Finnish NATO membership with Ukraine, Elina Valtonen stated firmly: “I would say no.  Comparing Finland and Ukraine is pretty difficult for many reasons. Of course we do share a border with Russia, but Finland has never been in the Soviet sphere. We were also lucky enough to remain independent during the Second World War. But our close proximity to Russia means we have very strong sympathy with Ukrainians.”

Wolfgang Ischinger continued: “When Finland applied for membership there was approval all around. When Sweden one country had an issue with it, so it was more difficult. It is not a simple process - it requires the positive approval of all 31 members of NATO. If there is no fundamental peace reestablished, it is a free gift to Putin.

In terms of security arrangements outside of NATO membership, what would ensure Ukrainians feel safer than today? How do we also make Ukraine an attractive place to invest for investors?”

Elina Valtonen commented: “The first and best solution is NATO security guarantees. It is the best solution and the cheapest solution. We know that Russian aggression does not limit itself to Ukraine. It (security guarantees) is essentially about Europe's future and not just about Ukraine.”

The project ‘YOUR COUNTRY FIRST - WIN WITH US’ is organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and the PinchukArtCentre in cooperation with the Office of the President of Ukraine. 

The  project ‘ YOUR COUNTRY FIRST - WIN WITH US’ located at Promenade 59, Davos, is a complementary event hosted on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, in a space shared with Ukraine House Davos.

Agenda of the discussion program is available here https://www.winwithua.org/agenda

Photos are available here

Video is available here